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Mercy is for those who desire it, who live it and are merciful themselves.

Do not allow sin to enter into your hearts. Do not allow your ‘friends’ sway you into committing sinful acts or to be a conspirator by saying and doing nothing. Neither be led astray by family who have no relationship with the Lord your God. And most of all, do not allow unforgiveness to rob you of your Heavenly inheritance.

St Joachim, St Anne dutiful loving parents of our dearest Blessed Mother. Pray for us. Amen

First reading
Jeremiah 14:17-22

The Lord said to me:

Say this word to the people:

‘Tears flood my eyes night and day, unceasingly, since a crushing blow falls on the daughter of my people,
a most grievous injury.

If I go into the countryside, there lie men killed by the sword; if I go into the city, I see people sick with hunger; even prophets and priests
plough the land: they are at their wit’s end.’

‘Have you rejected Judah altogether? Does your very soul revolt at Zion? Why have you struck us down without hope of cure?

We were hoping for peace– no good came of it!

For the moment of cure– nothing but terror! the Lord, we do confess our wickedness and our fathers’ guilt: we have indeed sinned against you.

For your name’s sake do not reject us, do not dishonour the throne of your glory. Remember us; do not break your covenant with us.

Can any of the pagan Nothings make it rain? Can the heavens produce showers?

No, it is you, the Lord. O our God, you are our hope, since it is you who do all this.’

Gospel
Matthew 13:36-43

Leaving the crowds, Jesus went to the house; and his disciples came to him and said, ‘Explain the parable about the darnel in the field to us.’ He said in reply, ‘The sower of the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world; the good seed is the subjects of the kingdom; the darnel, the subjects of the evil one; the enemy who sowed them, the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; the reapers are the angels. Well then, just as the darnel is gathered up and burnt in the fire, so it will be at the end of time. The Son of Man will send his angels and they will gather out of his kingdom all things that provoke offences and all who do evil, and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. Then the virtuous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Listen, anyone who has ears!’

The highest form of service is to serve without want or need of reward. To serve simply out of love for whom we serve and the desire to do God our Father’s will. This can only come about when we too are dead and buried with Jesus. Only then can we be raised and experience the life that comes from our Lord.

Till then we might serve only with our lips. With partiality or at other times with half hearted vigour. We want to be seen and heard. Mercy and compassion are available only for those who accepts or embraces our way, our thoughts. When the focus should be on our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus my Lord, raise me up as I die in You so that I may serve You and my brethren in Your love. Amen

St James pray for us. Amen

First reading
2 Corinthians 4:7-15

We are only the earthenware jars that hold this treasure, to make it clear that such an overwhelming power comes from God and not from us. We are in difficulties on all sides, but never cornered; we see no answer to our problems, but never despair; we have been persecuted, but never deserted; knocked down, but never killed; always, wherever we may be, we carry with us in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus, too, may always be seen in our body. Indeed, while we are still alive, we are consigned to our death every day, for the sake of Jesus, so that in our mortal flesh the life of Jesus, too, may be openly shown. So death is at work in us, but life in you.

But as we have the same spirit of faith that is mentioned in scripture–I believed, and therefore I spoke– we too believe and therefore we too speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus to life will raise us with Jesus in our turn, and put us by his side and you with us. You see, all this is for your benefit, so that the more grace is multiplied among people, the more thanksgiving there will be, to the glory of God.

Gospel
Matthew 20:20-28

The mother of Zebedee’s sons came with her sons to make a request of him, and bowed low; and he said to her, ‘What is it you want?’ She said to him, ‘Promise that these two sons of mine may sit one at your right hand and the other at your left in your kingdom.’ ‘You do not know what you are asking’ Jesus answered. ‘Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?’ They replied, ‘We can.’ ‘Very well,’ he said ‘you shall drink my cup, but as for seats at my right hand and my left, these are not mine to grant; they belong to those to whom they have been allotted by my Father.’

When the other ten heard this they were indignant with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, ‘You know that among the pagans the rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt. This is not to happen among you. No; anyone who wants to be great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be your slave, just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’

Attending daily mass and, or the Sunday Eucharist Celebration does not make us Christian. It does nothing for us if we do not open our hearts to receive Him. To be transformed by Him so as to love the least of our brethren.

While we congregate as sinners before the Lord, not all of us do so with a heart of thanksgiving, praise and worship. Not all come with reverance or repentant hearts. Instead they come to fulfil their ‘obligation’ then go on to lead empty lives. Some even leading others away by gossip and unforgiveness.

Jesus open our hearts and minds to You. Lead us to right worship of our Heavenly Father. So that we might lead one another, our families, brethren through and by Your grace closer to the Heavenly Kingdom. Amen

First reading
Jeremiah 7:1-11

The word that was addressed to Jeremiah by the Lord, ‘Go and stand at the gate of the Temple of the Lord and there proclaim this message. Say, “Listen to the word of the Lord, all you men of Judah who come in by these gates to worship the Lord. The Lord Sabaoth, the God of Israel, says this: Amend your behaviour and your actions and I will stay with you here in this place. Put no trust in delusive words like these:This is the sanctuary of the Lord, the sanctuary of the Lord, the sanctuary of the Lord!But if you do amend your behaviour and your actions, if you treat each other fairly, if you do not exploit the stranger, the orphan and the widow (if you do not shed innocent blood in this place), and if you do not follow alien gods, to your own ruin, then here in this place I will stay with you, in the land that long ago I gave to your fathers for ever. Yet here you are, trusting in delusive words, to no purpose! Steal, would you, murder, commit adultery, perjure yourselves, burn incense to Baal, follow alien gods that you do not know?– and then come presenting yourselves in this Temple that bears my name, saying: Now we are safe – safe to go on committing all these abominations! Do you take this Temple that bears my name for a robbers’ den? I, at any rate, am not blind– it is the Lord who speaks.”’

Gospel
Matthew 13:24-30

Jesus put another parable before the crowds, ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everybody was asleep his enemy came, sowed darnel all among the wheat, and made off. When the new wheat sprouted and ripened, the darnel appeared as well. The owner’s servants went to him and said, “Sir, was it not good seed that you sowed in your field? If so, where does the darnel come from?” “Some enemy has done this” he answered. And the servants said, “Do you want us to go and weed it out?” But he said, “No, because when you weed out the darnel you might pull up the wheat with it. Let them both grow till the harvest; and at harvest time I shall say to the reapers: First collect the darnel and tie it in bundles to be burnt, then gather the wheat into my barn.”’

It does not matter what we have done for we are precious in His eyes. And so He the Lord our God seeks us sinners out so that we might be liberated. So do not fear, come as you are, come in your weakness, come in your pain and do not despair for Jesus is waiting to embrace you. He will fill you with His grace and His peace.

Those who now live in the light will always seek the light. In the day or in the dark of night. Made holy we are called to be beacons for others. Made worthy we too are entrusted to proclaim the resurrection to the eldest and to the youngest, to all.

We no longer have to seek Jesus out, for He walks with us. Glory hallelujah! Amen

First reading
Jeremiah 3:14-17

Come back, disloyal children– it is the Lord who speaks – for I alone am your Master. I will take one from a town, two from a clan, and bring you to Zion. I will give you shepherds after my own heart, and these shall feed you on knowledge and discretion. And when you have increased and become many in the land, then– it is the Lord who speaks– no one will ever say again: Where is the ark of the covenant of the Lord? There will be no thought of it, no memory of it, no regret for it, no making of another. When that time comes, Jerusalem shall be called: The Throne of the Lord; all the nations will gather there in the name of the Lord and will no longer follow the dictates of their own stubborn hearts.

Gospel
John 20:1-2,11-18

It was very early on the first day of O the week and still dark, when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away from the tomb and came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb’ she said ‘and we don’t know where they have put him.’

Meanwhile Mary stayed outside near the tomb, weeping. Then, still weeping, she stooped to look inside, and saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head, the other at the feet. They said, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ ‘They have taken my Lord away’ she replied ‘and I don’t know where they have put him.’ As she said this she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, though she did not recognise him. Jesus said, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and remove him.’ Jesus said, ‘Mary!’ She knew him then and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbuni!’– which means Master. Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and find the brothers, and tell them: I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ So Mary of Magdala went and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and that he had said these things to her.

What is a relationship when there is no communication? No intimacy? No pouring out of the heart, to give or to receive? If one only wants to be listened to and ‘has’ all the answers. Who sees not others lest there is something to be gained? Whose idols are lust, power, honour, money and any forms of addiction? Is that the kind of relationship you want with anyone? Would God?

There is no relationship with the Lord our God if there is no prayer life. And there can be no growth in depth without listening to His Word. The more we submit in sweet intimate surrender to the Lord, the more we receive. Our minds are illumined, our hearts set on fire. We see the wonders of His hand, hear the beauty of His words and we understand.

So come now, let us no longer live in the pettiness the world has to offer. But in the fullness of life through our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us worship our Lord through praise and thanksgiving. And give Him glory by all we say and do in His name. Amen

First reading
Jeremiah 2:1-3,7-8,12-13

The word of the Lord was addressed to me, saying, ‘Go and shout this in the hearing of Jerusalem:

‘“The Lord says this: I remember the affection of your youth, the love of your bridal days: you followed me through the wilderness, through a land unsown.

Israel was sacred to the Lord, the first-fruits of his harvest; anyone who ate of this had to pay for it,
misfortune came to them– it is the Lord who speaks.”

‘I brought you to a fertile country to enjoy its produce and good things;
but no sooner had you entered than you defiled my land, and made my heritage detestable.

The priests have never asked, “Where is the Lord?”

Those who administer the Law have no knowledge of me.

The shepherds have rebelled against me; the prophets have prophesied in the name of Baal,
following things with no power in them.

‘You heavens, stand aghast at this,
stand stupefied, stand utterly appalled – it is the Lord who speaks.

Since my people have committed a double crime: they have abandoned me, the fountain of living water, only to dig cisterns for themselves, leaky cisterns that hold no water.’

Gospel
Matthew 13:10-17

The disciples went up to Jesus and asked, ‘Why do you talk to them in parables?’ ‘Because’ he replied, ‘the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven are revealed to you, but they are not revealed to them. For anyone who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough; but from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. The reason I talk to them in parables is that they look without seeing and listen without hearing or understanding. So in their case this prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled:

You will listen and listen again, but not understand, see and see again, but not perceive.

For the heart of this nation has grown coarse, their ears are dull of hearing, and they have shut their eyes, for fear they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and be converted and be healed by me.

‘But happy are your eyes because they see, your ears because they hear! I tell you solemnly, many prophets and holy men longed to see what you see, and never saw it; to hear what you hear, and never heard it.’

At the end of every Eucharistic Celebration we are sent on mission to announce the Gospel to all nations. At least two thirds are saying to themselves surely not I? What do I know? I am not gifted for this? Besides I have no time. Out of the remaining one third only a handful will carry out the mission while the rest will do nothing.

By virtue of our baptism we are all anointed to be priest, prophet and King. The Holy Spirit is upon us and have gifted us with the graces needed to share the good news of the Gospels.

The Lord is with us what do we have to fear? We are not called to convert anyone, only to plant the seed. The Lord will take care of the rest. If they will not listen, it is the Lord they reject. Our job is to share the good news of our salvation so that the many who will listen have the truth and hope of eternal life with our Heavenly Father.

Lord Jesus grant us the courage and steadfastness of faith to carry out Your Will. Amen

First reading
Jeremiah 1:1,4-10

The words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, of a priestly family living at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin.

The word of the Lord was addressed to me, saying,

‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you came to birth I consecrated you; I have appointed you as prophet to the nations.’

I said, ‘Ah, Lord; look, I do not know how to speak: I am a child!’

But the Lord replied,

‘Do not say, “I am a child.” Go now to those to whom I send you and, say whatever I command you.

Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to protect you – it is the Lord who speaks!’

Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me:

‘There! I am putting my words into your mouth.

Look, today I am setting you over nations and over kingdoms, to tear up and to knock down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.’

Gospel
Matthew 13:1-9

Jesus left the house and sat by the lakeside, but such large crowds gathered round him that he got into a boat and sat there. The people all stood on the beach, and he told them many things in parables.

He said, ‘Imagine a sower going out to sow. As he sowed, some seeds fell on the edge of the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Others fell on patches of rock where they found little soil and sprang up straight away, because there was no depth of earth; but as soon as the sun came up they were scorched and, not having any roots, they withered away. Others fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Others fell on rich soil and produced their crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Listen, anyone who has ears!’

Ever faithful is the Lord our God, merciful and kind. He looks upon us His children with tender loving care. To remain steadfast in His love is to do His will. And His will is to prosper us not to do us harm. Why then should we be afraid to do His will?

It is in our relationship with Jesus Christ His Son that we bear fruit for our wills are in communion with Him. This is what it means to be one body in Him. Our love is never a selfish one but one that wills the good in another.

Sweet heart of Jesus embrace me, let me always be one with You. Amen

First reading
Micah 7:14-15,18-20

With shepherd’s crook, O Lord, lead your people to pasture, the flock that is your heritage, living confined in a forest with meadow land all around.

Let them pasture in Bashan and Gilead as in the days of old.

As in the days when you came out of Egypt grant us to see wonders.

What god can compare with you: taking fault away, pardoning crime,
not cherishing anger for ever but delighting in showing mercy?

Once more have pity on us, tread down our faults, to the bottom of the sea throw all our sins.

Grant Jacob your faithfulness, and Abraham your mercy, as you swore to our Father’s from the days of long ago.

Gospel
Matthew 12:46-50

Jesus was speaking to the crowds when his mother and his brothers appeared; they were standing outside and were anxious to have a word with him. But to the man who told him this Jesus replied, ‘Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?’ And stretching out his hand towards his disciples he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven, he is my brother and sister and mother.’

Do not wait for the earth to shake, a thunderous roar, a loud unseen voice or fiery skies! Do not say I will return to the Lord when I stop sinning first.

Our Lord Jesus Christ had spoken, “Come to me all you who are burdened and weary and I will give you rest.” Do not wait to change, come to Him and He will transform you. His grace and peace will be upon you.

And then, you will see the signs! Peace, love and joy in your hearts. An illumination from within which will show on your faces. And everyone will know that you walk humbly with God.

Grant me Your pardon and mercy Lord. Purify me that I may be white as snow. This day and every day, so that I may sing your praise and bring You glory through my living of Your Word. Amen

First reading
Micah 6:1-4,6-8

Listen to what the Lord is saying:

Stand up and let the case begin in the hearing of the mountains and let the hills hear what you say.

Listen, you mountains, to the Lord’s accusation, give ear, you foundations of the earth, for the Lord is accusing his people, pleading against Israel:

My people, what have I done to you, how have I been a burden to you? Answer me.

I brought you out of the land of Egypt, I rescued you from the house of slavery; I sent Moses to lead you, with Aaron and Miriam.

– ‘With what gift shall I come into the Lord’s presence and bow down before God on high?

Shall I come with holocausts, with calves one year old? Will he be pleased with rams by the thousand, with libations of oil in torrents?

Must I give my first-born for what I have done wrong, the fruit of my body for my own sin?’

– What is good has been explained to you, man; this is what the Lord asks of you only this, to act justly, to love and to walk humbly with your God.

Gospel
Matthew 12:38-42

Some of the scribes and Pharisees spoke up. ‘Master,’ they said ‘we should like to see a sign from you.’ He replied, ‘It is an evil and unfaithful generation that asks for a sign! The only sign it will be given is the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was in the belly of the sea-monster for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. On Judgement day the men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation and condemn it, because when Jonah preached they repented; and there is something greater than Jonah here. On Judgement day the Queen of the South will rise up with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here.’

No humbler servant of God our Heavenly Father is there, other than Jesus Christ our Lord. By His example we are all called to proclaim the truth of our faith for which we were gifted. By His Spirit we too are to bring about healing and mercy to whom we meet. We thus build the Kingdom of God by the communities we form centred on Him.

Gossip, a loose tongue, ill will towards others have no place in a community of the Lord. Those who engage in it are fools for their folly will weigh heavily upon them. They strip themselves of the peace and joy only to be found in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lord Jesus, let Your peace and mercy reign in our hearts. Amen

First reading
Micah 2:1-5

Woe to those who plot evil, who lie in bed planning mischief!

No sooner is it dawn than they do it
– their hands have the strength for it.

Seizing the fields that they covet, they take over houses as well,
owner and house they confiscate together, taking both man and inheritance.

So the Lord says this:

Now it is I who plot such mischief against this breed as your necks will not escape; nor will you be able to walk proudly, so evil will the time be.

On that day they will make a satire on you, sing a dirge and say,

‘We are stripped of everything; my people’s portion is measured out and shared, no one will give it back to them, our fields are awarded to our despoiler.’

Therefore you will have no one to measure out a share in the community of the Lord.

Gospel
Matthew 12:14-21

The Pharisees went out and began to plot against him, discussing how to destroy him.

Jesus knew this and withdrew from the district. Many followed him and he cured them all, but warned them not to make him known. This was to fulfil the prophecy of Isaiah:

Here is my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved, the favourite of my soul.

I will endow him with my spirit, and he will proclaim the true faith to the nations.

He will not brawl or shout, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.

He will not break the crushed reed,
nor put out the smouldering wick
till he has led the truth to victory: in his name the nations will put their hope.

Nothing we do on our own in this world will add to number of years to our life. Our very bodies are gifts from God our heavenly Father and should be regarded as holy temples. We should care for them and keep them sanctified. So that our living God can dwell in them. Now then what greater communion is there? Then the Lord our God dwelling within us. He alone will decide the time we return to Him.

Jesus is the way of our salvation and He bids us to be merciful. To share the mercy we receive from Him with our brethren and all who will listen. To feed the hungry and care for the sick. And to reconcile all to God our Heavenly Father who loves us all so dearly.

Jesus let me dwell in Your temple as You dwell in mine. Amen

First reading
Isaiah 38:1-6,21-22,7-8

Hezekiah fell ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came and said to him, ‘The Lord says this, “Put your affairs in order, for you are going to die, you will not live.”’ Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and addressed this prayer to the Lord, ‘Ah, Lord, remember, I beg you, how I have behaved faithfully and with sincerity of heart in your presence and done what is right in your eyes.’ And Hezekiah shed many tears.

Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah, ‘Go and say to Hezekiah, “The Lord, the God of David your ancestor, says this: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will cure you: in three days’ time you shall go up to the Temple of the Lord.” I will add fifteen years to your life. I will save you from the hands of the king of Assyria, I will protect this city.”’

‘Bring a fig poultice,’ Isaiah said, ‘apply it to the ulcer and he will recover.’ Hezekiah said, ‘What is the sign to tell me that I shall be going up to the Temple of the Lord?’ ‘Here’ Isaiah replied’’ ‘is the sign from the Lord that he will do what he has said. Look, I shall make the shadow cast by the declining sun go back ten steps on the steps of Ahaz.’ And the sun went back the ten steps by which it had declined.

Gospel
Matthew 12:1-8

Jesus took a walk one sabbath day through the cornfields. His disciples were hungry and began to pick ears of corn and eat them. The Pharisees noticed it and said to him, ‘Look, your disciples are doing something that is forbidden on the sabbath.’ But he said to them, ‘Have you not read what David did when he and his followers were hungry – how he went into the house of God and how they ate the loaves of offering which neither he nor his followers were allowed to eat, but which were for the priests alone? Or again, have you not read in the Law that on the sabbath day the Temple priests break the sabbath without being blamed for it? Now here, I tell you, is something greater than the Temple. And if you had understood the meaning of the words: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the blameless. For the Son of Man is master of the sabbath.’

Those who have turned their backs on sin need mourn no longer. Those who carry the heavy burden of the world may take comfort. Those who feel the weight of the cross of Christ bearing down on them, be at ease.

For Jesus our Saviour gives us new life in Him. By His Resurrection we live in freedom and in His love. He invites us to always go to Him in our moments of distress. He alone can give us the rest we need in His Spirit, the peace and joy. He will heal, rejuvenate the drooping spirit and give us the strength we need to carry on with our mission. He is with us every step of the way. Carrying the yoke along side us.

Glory to You O Lord Jesus Christ! Amen

First reading
Isaiah 26:7-9,12,16-19

The path of the upright man is straight, you smooth the way of the upright.

Following the path of your judgements, we hoped in you, O Lord, your name, your memory are all my soul desires.

At night my soul longs for you and my spirit in me seeks for you; when your judgements appear on earth the inhabitants of the world learn the meaning of integrity.

O Lord, you are giving us peace, since you treat us as our deeds deserve.

Distressed, we search for you, O Lord; the misery of oppression was your punishment for us.

As a woman with child near her time writhes and cries out in her pangs, so are we, O Lord, in your presence: we have conceived, we writhe as if we were giving birth; we have not given the spirit of salvation to the earth, no more inhabitants of the world are born.

Your dead will come to life, their corpses will rise; awake, exult, all you who lie in the dust, for your dew is a radiant dew and the land of ghosts will give birth.

Gospel
Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus exclaimed, ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’

Do you possess wisdom far greater than all your peers? Do you have superior strength to them? Are you more courageous, effluent and intelligent? Are you all these and more? Are you then greater than God Your Heavenly Father?

If indeed your answer is no then why do you think yourself far better than your brethren? For is it not our Heavenly Father who blessed us with our gifts so that it be used to help others and to build His Kingdom? Why then must we have the last word or think we know it best? Whom are we glorifying by our words and deeds?

To know and love our Heavenly Father is to know and love Him through the relationship we have with our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. It is in loving humility when we first embrace Him as Master before all else that more is revealed to us.

My Lord, my God I submit myself wholly to You. Amen

First reading
Isaiah 10:5-7,13-16

The Lord of hosts says this:

Woe to Assyria, the rod of my anger, the club brandished by me in my fury!

I sent him against a godless nation;
I gave him commission against a people that provokes me, to pillage and to plunder freely and to stamp down like the mud in the streets.

But he did not intend this, his heart did not plan it so.

No, in his heart was to destroy, to go on cutting nations to pieces without limit.

For he has said:

‘By the strength of my own arm I have done this and by my own intelligence, for understanding is mine; I have pushed back the frontiers of peoples and plundered their treasures.

I have brought their inhabitants down to the dust.

As if they were a bird’s nest, my hand has seized the riches of the peoples.

As people pick up deserted eggs I have picked up the whole earth, with not a wing fluttering, not a beak opening, not a chirp.’

Does the axe claim more credit than the man who wields it, or the saw more strength than the man who handles it?

It would be like the cudgel controlling the man who raises it, or the club moving what is not made of wood!

And so the Lord of Hosts is going to send a wasting sickness on his stout warriors; beneath his plenty, a burning will burn like a consuming fire.

Gospel
Matthew 11:25-27

Jesus exclaimed, ‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’

Why do many always attend the Eucharist Celebration late? Why do many not participate in the prayers or singing? Why do some attend daily Eucharist but adjourn at the coffee shops to gossip about others? Why do many still think that their faith in the Lord our God is a private one and so has no regard for anyone other themselves or their family? Church bells have rung to gather the faithful? How many have come who are truly faithful? How many have come to truly worship?

Every Eucharistic Celebration should change our hearts, transform us so that we can grow in Holiness. It does for those who heed the call of our Saviour; whose hearts, minds and souls are opened to receive. They shall be nourished. They are in communion with Him. The fire of the Holy Spirit burns bright within them as they leave to seek out the lost, the oppressed, the poor, the lonely so as to administer to them. To always speak up for the truth even if the cost is great. This is what it means to take up the cross to follow our Lord Jesus Christ. To live not for ourselves but for Him and our brethren.

Holy Mary, Mother of God pray for us. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ your Son. Amen

First reading
Isaiah 1:10-17

Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the command of our God, you people of Gomorrah.

‘What are your endless sacrifices to me? says the Lord.

I am sick of holocausts of rams
and the fat of calves.

The blood of bulls and of goats revolts me.

When you come to present yourselves before me, who asked you to trample over my courts?

Bring me your worthless offerings no more, the smoke of them fills me with disgust.

New Moons, sabbaths, assemblies;– I cannot endure festival and solemnity.

Your New Moons and your pilgrimages I hate with all my soul.

They lie heavy on me, I am tired of bearing them.

When you stretch out your hands I turn my eyes away.

You may multiply your prayers, I shall not listen.

Your hands are covered with blood, wash, make yourselves clean.

‘Take your wrong-doing out of my sight.

Cease to do evil. Learn to do good, search for justice, help the oppressed, be just to the orphan, plead for the widow.’

Gospel
Matthew 10:34-11:1

Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: ‘Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth: it is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies will be those of his own household.

‘Anyone who prefers father or mother to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who prefers son or daughter to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me. Anyone who finds his life will lose it; anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.

‘Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me; and those who welcome me welcome the one who sent me.

‘Anyone who welcomes a prophet will have a prophet’s reward; and anyone who welcomes a holy man will have a holy man’s reward.

‘If anyone gives so much as a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward.’

When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples he moved on from there to teach and preach in their towns.

Who is the Lord of Lords the king of Kings in our lives? Only when we embrace the fact that it is Jesus in the one Holy Trinity, will we be opened to receive His healing Grace. In which we are cleansed of our sins. Then we can rightly give glory, thanks and praise to our living God.

No gossip, ill mannered criticisms against us will deter us from proclaiming the truth. The evil that seeks to scatter will be scattered into nothingness. For the Lord our God who gathers, will gather us unto Himself and vindicate us.

Let us proclaim with great fervor our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who has redeemed the world. And when called to do so in the peripheries and beyond, let us rejoice and say, “Here I am Lord, send me.” Amen

First reading
Isaiah 6:1-8

In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord of Hosts seated on a high throne; his train filled the sanctuary; above him stood seraphs, each one with six wings: two to cover its face, two to cover its feet, and two for flying.

And they cried out to one another in this way,

‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts.

His glory fills the whole earth.’

The foundations of the threshold shook with the voice of the one who cried out, and the Temple was filled with smoke. I said:

‘What a wretched state I am in! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have looked at the King, the Lord of Hosts.’

Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding in his hand a live coal which he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. With this he touched my mouth and said: ‘See now, this has touched your lips, your sin is taken away, your iniquity is purged.’

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying:

‘Whom shall I send? Who will be our messenger?’

I answered, ‘Here I am, send me.’

Gospel
Matthew 10:24-33

Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: ‘The disciple is not superior to his teacher, nor the slave to his master. It is enough for the disciple that he should grow to be like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, what will they not say of his household?

‘Do not be afraid of them therefore. For everything that is now covered will be uncovered, and everything now hidden will be made clear. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the daylight; what you hear in whispers, proclaim from the housetops.

‘Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; fear him rather who can destroy both body and soul in hell. Can you not buy two sparrows for a penny? And yet not one falls to the ground without your Father knowing. Why, every hair on your head has been counted. So there is no need to be afraid; you are worth more than hundreds of sparrows.

‘So if anyone declares himself for me in the presence of men, I will declare myself for him in the presence of my Father in heaven. But the one who disowns me in the presence of men, I will disown in the presence of my Father in heaven.’

Let us live in holiness, in the steadfast love and grace of God our Heavenly. For through Him and with Him we flourish and bear much fruit. We indeed have life to the full. For we once great sinners, fell often till we learnt to walk upright in His ways.

Now we are called to help others walk the same humble righteous path. For through Christ our Lord they too shall be redeemed and sanctified. We have been chosen to bring His light and love to all we encounter. Nothing shall we fear for He is with us every step of the way. For when we speak it will be Him speaking through us. He has given us a spirit of courage to bring hope where there is none. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain. For ours is the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen

First reading
Hosea 14:2-10

The Lord says this:
Israel, come back to the Lord your God; your iniquity was the cause of your downfall.

Provide yourself with words
and come back to the Lord.

Say to him, ‘Take all iniquity away so that we may have happiness again and offer you our words of praise.

Assyria cannot save us, we will not ride horses any more,
or say, “Our God!” to what our own hands have made, for you are the one in whom orphans find compassion.

– I will heal their disloyalty,
I will love them with all my heart, for my anger has turned from them.

I will fall like dew on Israel.
He shall bloom like the lily, and thrust out roots like the poplar, his shoots will spread far; he will have the beauty of the olive and the fragrance of Lebanon.

They will come back to live in my shade; they will grow corn that flourishes, they will cultivate vines as renowned as the wine of Helbon.

What has Ephraim to do with idols any more when it is I who hear his prayer and care for him?

I am like a cypress ever green,
all your fruitfulness comes from me.

Let the wise man understand these words.

Let the intelligent man grasp their meaning.

For the ways of the Lord are straight, and virtuous men walk in them, but sinners stumble.

Gospel
Matthew 10:16-23

Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: ‘Remember, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; so be cunning as serpents and yet as harmless as doves.

‘Beware of men: they will hand you over to sanhedrins and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the pagans. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to speak or what to say; what you are to say will be given to you when the time comes; because it is not you who will be speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you. ‘Brother will betray brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all men on account of my name; but the man who stands firm to the end will be saved. If they persecute you in one town, take refuge in the next; and if they persecute you in that, take refuge in another. I tell you solemnly, you will not have gone the round of the towns of Israel.

God our Heavenly Father is gentle, patient, merciful and kind. He loves us and does not want us to stray far away from Him. For without Him we are sure to destroy ourselves by our choices.

Which loving parent would want to see their child die? And so through His Son our Lord Jesus Christ we have hope of eternal life with Him. We need only heed His gentle call to return to Him.

We disciples of Jesus are called to be His lips, hands and feet. To extend His mercy and love to all we meet. Healing and restoring them as He once did. Coaxing them gently like any good brother or sister would, to return home to the Father.

In union with Him, we are provided for all we need and so no true disciple can say I don’t know how or do not have what it takes. All it will ever take is a desire to serve Him by our love.

Lord You are my rock and my strength. Amen

First reading
Hosea 11:1-4,8-9

Thus says the Lord:

When Israel was a child I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt.

But the more I called to them, the further they went from me; they have offered sacrifice to the baals and set their offerings smoking before the idols.

I myself taught Ephraim to walk, I took them in my arms;
yet they have not understood that I was the one looking after them.

I led them with reins of kindness, with leading-strings of love.

I was like someone who lifts an infant close against his cheek; stooping down to him I gave him his food.

Ephraim, how could I part with you?

Israel, how could I give you up?

How could I treat you like Admah, or deal with you like Zeboiim?

My heart recoils from it, my whole being trembles at the thought.

I will not give rein to my fierce anger, I will not destroy Ephraim again, for I am God, not man: I am the Holy One in your midst and have no wish to destroy.

Gospel
Matthew 10:7-15

Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: ‘As you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils. You received without charge, give without charge. Provide yourselves with no gold or silver, not even with a few coppers for your purses, with no haversack for the journey or spare tunic or footwear or a staff, for the workman deserves his keep.

  ‘Whatever town or village you go into, ask for someone trustworthy and stay with him until you leave. As you enter his house, salute it, and if the house deserves it, let your peace descend upon it; if it does not, let your peace come back to you. And if anyone does not welcome you or listen to what you have to say, as you walk out of the house or town shake the dust from your feet. I tell you solemnly, on the day of Judgement it will not go as hard with the land of Sodom and Gomorrah as with that town.’

As we grow in Holiness it is equally important we grow in Humility. One that comes from uniting ourselves with the cross on which our Lord Jesus hung. Only then can we sow integrity for ourselves and reap a harvest of kindness.

The call of discipleship is to bring Christ our Lord to everyone. To share in the love and mercy of God our Father. So that they will have hope in the promise of eternal life with Him. The promise fulfilled in the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. And we start first with our family and friends. Then the whole world. Amen

First reading
Hosea 10:1-3,7-8,12

Israel was a luxuriant vine
yielding plenty of fruit.

The more his fruit increased, the more altars he built; the richer his land became, the richer he made the sacred stones.

Their heart is a divided heart;
very well, they must pay for it:
the Lord is going to break their altars down and destroy their sacred stones.

Then they will say, ‘We have no King because we have not feared the Lord.’

But what can a king do for us?
Samaria has had her day. Her king is like a straw drifting on the water.

The idolatrous high places shall be destroyed– that sin of Israel; thorn and thistle will grow on their altars.

Then they will say to the mountains, ‘Cover us!’ and to the hills, ‘Fall on us!’

Sow integrity for yourselves,
reap a harvest of kindness, break up your fallow ground: it is time to go seeking the Lord until he comes to rain salvation on you.

Gospel
Matthew 10:1-7

Jesus summoned his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits with power to cast them out and to cure all kinds of diseases and sickness.

These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, the one who was to betray him. These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them as follows:

‘Do not turn your steps to pagan territory, and do not enter any Samaritan town; go rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. And as you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’

​

Humble yourself before the Lord Your God and listen to His Word.  Turn away from greed, want of power, want of honour, want of more money, protection from idols. For these will only bring you woe and strive. 

Empty pride and stubbornness of heart will only blind You to His works of mercy through the disciples He sends. 

Many are in need of His mercy and love. Too many have not been reached or touched simply because many have not responded to the call of discipleship. While others have turned it down for wanting to pursue their own personal wants and goals. Wait no longer and heed His call. He will provide for all You need to help in the harvest. 

Lord Jesus I’ve come to do Your Will. Amen 

First reading
Hosea 8:4-7,11-13

Thus says the Lord:

They have set up kings, but not with my consent, and appointed princes, but without my knowledge. Out of their own silver and gold they have made idols, which are doomed to destruction. I spurn your calf, Samaria, my anger blazes against it.

(How long will it be before they purge themselves of this, the sons of Israel?)

A workman made the thing, this cannot be God! Yes, the calf of Samaria shall go up in flames.

They sow the wind, they will reap the whirlwind; their wheat will yield no ear, the ear will yield no flour, or, if it does, foreigners will swallow it.

Ephraim has built altar after altar, they have only served him as occasion for sin.

Were I to write out the thousand precepts of my Law for him, they would be paid no more attention than those of a stranger.

They love sacrificing; right, let them sacrifice!

They love meat; right, let them eat it!

The Lord takes no pleasure in these.

He is now going to remember their iniquity and punish their sins; they will have to go back to Egypt

Gospel
Matthew 9:32-37

A man was brought to Jesus, a dumb demoniac. And when the devil was cast out, the dumb man spoke and the people were amazed. ‘Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel’ they said. But the Pharisees said, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he casts out devils.’

Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness.

And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.’

To unite ourselves with the Lord in mind, body and heart. Is to unite ourselves with our most faithful spouse forever. For He cherishes His bride and will keep her in His loving gentle embrace. He will nurture and nourish her. She will live her life to the full. Such is the love of our Lord. This is what it means to be in communion with Him. 

So turn to Him in faith all you who have the cares and temptations of the world draining life out of you.  He will restore you. Turn to Him all who are bound in guilt for having sinned, He will free you. Come to Him all you who are spiritually dead and He will give you new and everlasting life in Him. Praise and glory be to our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ! Amen 

First reading
Hosea 2:16,17-18,21-22

It is the Lord who speaks: I am going to lure her and lead her out into the wilderness and speak to her heart.

I am going to give her back her vineyards, and make the Valley of Achor a gateway of hope.

There she will respond to me as she did when she was young, as she did when she came out of the land of Egypt.

When that day comes – it is the Lord who speaks – she will call me, ‘My husband’, no longer will she call me, ‘My Baal.’

I will betroth you to myself for ever, betroth you with integrity and justice, with tenderness and love; I will betroth you to myself with faithfulness, and you will come to know the Lord.

Gospel
Matthew 9:18-26

While Jesus was speaking, up came one of the officials, who bowed low in front of him and said, ‘My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her and her life will be saved.’ Jesus rose and, with his disciples, followed him. Then from behind him came a woman, who had suffered from a haemorrhage for twelve years, and she touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, ‘If I can only touch his cloak I shall be well again.’ Jesus turned round and saw her; and he said to her, ‘Courage, my daughter, your faith has restored you to health.’ And from that moment the woman was well again.

  When Jesus reached the official’s house and saw the flute-players, with the crowd making a commotion he said, ‘Get out of here; the little girl is not dead, she is asleep.’ And they laughed at him. But when the people had been turned out he went inside and took the little girl by the hand; and she stood up. And the news spread all round the countryside.

Today we are reminded that we have hope and the promise of new life. Our Saviour has come to redeem us. And so we must seek to renew ourselves through the wonderful sacraments He had instituted so that we are strengthened through His graces. To live in the joy and promise of His Resurrection.

We cast away our sinful past behind us and leave all that seeks to draw us back. So as to live anew in the Wellsprings of the living water which He alone provides for us. 

Glory to our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

First reading
Amos 9:11-15

It is the Lord who speaks:

‘That day I will re-erect the tottering hut of David, make good the gaps in it, restore its ruins and rebuild it as it was in the days of old, so that they can conquer the remnant of Edom and all the nations that belonged to me.’

It is the Lord who speaks, and he will carry this out.

‘The days are coming now – it is the Lord who speaks when harvest will follow directly after ploughing, the treading of grapes soon after sowing,
when the mountains will run with new wine and the hills all flow with it.

I mean to restore the fortunes of my people Israel; they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them, plant vineyards and drink their wine, dig gardens and eat their produce.

I will plant them in their own country, never to be rooted up again out of the land I have given them, says the Lord, your God.’

Gospel
Matthew 9:14-17

John’s disciples came to him and said, ‘Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?’ Jesus replied, ‘Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of mourning as long as the bridegroom is still with them? But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one puts a piece of unshrunken cloth on to an old cloak, because the patch pulls away from the cloak and the tear gets worse. Nor do people put new wine into old wineskins; if they do, the skins burst, the wine runs out, and the skins are lost. No; they put new wine into fresh skins and both are preserved.’

Wicked, selfish hearts while they appear to flourish at the expense of the poor and perhaps the uninitiated to the ways of the world; are doomed. For evil begets evil and without the Word of God in their lives they will whither and die.

How wonderful it is to have a merciful Lord who looks to the good in us and seeks to free us from our sins so that whatever good resides in us will multiply and bear fruit.

We must do likewise and see others through the eyes of our Lord Jesus Christ. Otherwise all we will see is their faults, shortcomings and be critical of them. Some may even choose to shun and ostracise them.  Who then has hope of His mercy and love? Do we think we ourselves will have His mercy when we are not merciful?

Like St Matthew when he was a tax collector, we too have responded to the call of our Lord Jesus to follow Him. We too had experienced the presence and mercy of Jesus even though we did nothing to deserve it.  So let us never forget our humble beginnings and extend our hand of mercy; our friendship and love to all. Amen

First reading
Amos 8:4-6,9-12

Listen to this, you who trample on the needy and try to suppress the poor people of the country, you who say, ‘When will New Moon be over
so that we can sell our corn,
and sabbath, so that we can market our wheat?

Then by lowering the bushel, raising the shekel, by swindling and tampering with the scales, we can buy up the poor for money, and the needy for a pair of sandals, and get a price even for the sweepings of the wheat.’

That day – it is the Lord who speaks –

I will make the sun go down at noon, and darken the earth in broad daylight. I am going to turn your feasts into funerals,
all your singing into lamentation;

I will have your loins all in sackcloth, your heads all shaved.

I will make it a mourning like the mourning for an only son,
as long as it lasts it will be like a day of bitterness.

See what days are coming – it is the Lord who speaks – days when I will bring famine on the country, a famine not of bread, a drought not of water, but of hearing the word of the Lord.

They will stagger from sea to sea, wander from north to east, seeking the word of the
of the Lord and failing to find it.

Gospel
Matthew 9:9-13

As Jesus was walking on he saw a man named Matthew sitting by the customs house, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.

  While he was at dinner in the house it happened that a number of tax collectors and sinners came to sit at the table with Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your master eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ When he heard this he replied, ‘It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. Go and learn the meaning of the words: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice. And indeed I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners.’

How fortunate we are to have a loving Heavenly Father send prophets even today to call us to reconciliation. To turn away from sins which would lead to our destruction. Do we then shut our ears? Say we are not interested to listen to their nonsense? Think they are simply being self righteous? Do we let our sin paralyse us in doing what is right?

We by virtue of our baptism are called to be prophets too.  So that all who hear the message of Christ and believe in Him will be saved. For the Lord our God has come to set us free. And will forgive us our sins when we turn to Him

Thank You Lord for Your great mercy and love. Amen

First reading
Amos 7:10-17

Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent word to Jeroboam king of Israel as follows. ‘Amos is plotting against you in the heart of the House of Israel; the country can no longer tolerate what he keeps saying. For this is what he says, “Jeroboam is going to die by the sword, and Israel go into exile far from its country.”’ To Amos, Amaziah said, ‘Go away, seer;’ get back to the land of Judah; earn your bread there, do your prophesying there. We want no more prophesying in Bethel; this is the royal sanctuary, the national temple.’ ‘I was no prophet, neither did I belong to any of the brotherhoods of prophets,’ Amos replied to Amaziah ‘I was a shepherd, and looked after sycamores: but it was the Lord who took me from herding the flock, and the Lord who said, “Go, prophesy to my people Israel.” So listen to the word of the Lord.

‘You say: ‘“Do not prophesy against Israel, utter no oracles against the House of Isaac.”

‘Very well, this is what the Lord says, ‘“Your wife will be forced to go on the streets, your sons and daughters will fall by the sword, your land be parcelled out by measuring line, and you yourself die on unclean soil and Israel will go into exile far distant from its own land.”’

Gospel
Matthew 9:1-8

Jesus got in the boat, crossed the water and came to his own town. Then some people appeared, bringing him a paralytic stretched out on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘Courage, my child, your sins are forgiven.’ And at this some scribes said to themselves, ‘This man is blaspheming.’ Knowing what was in their minds Jesus said, ‘Why do you have such wicked thoughts in your hearts? Now, which of these is easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Get up and walk”? But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ – he said to the paralytic – ‘get up, and pick up your bed and go off home.’ And the man got up and went home. A feeling of awe came over the crowd when they saw this, and they praised God for giving such power to men.

Today as we celebrate the Solemnity of St Peter and St Paul, we hear the resounding call to faithful discipleship.

Two of the most iconic figures in the history of our Church and yet whose very lives could easily be a representation of our very own.  St Peter a brash fisherman who clearly was not forward thinking at least in the beginning. Made many clumsy mistakes whether in word or deed. And of all people was unlikely to betray Jesus because of his love for Him. But he did! This is the man chosen to be the rock the foundation on which our Church is built. Why? Because like him, we too can be transformed by the grace, mercy and love of God. We too can acknowledge that we have sinned, pick ourselves up and return to the Lord. He was faithful to the very end and the wisdom he imparted invaluable.

St Paul, on the other hand was an intellect not found to be wanting. He possessed a zealous love for God’s law. Passionate enough to do anything to put an end to Christianity.  And yet he was chosen to bring Christianity to all! So that like him we too have hope and will experience the brilliant light of Christ. Be transformed to serve Him and our brethren in loving humility.  To boldly proclaim the Gospels and the message of God’s love to the very end.

St Peter and St Paul pray for us. Amen

First reading
Acts 12:1-11

King Herod started persecuting certain members of the Church. He beheaded James the brother of John, and when he saw that this pleased the Jews he decided to arrest Peter as well. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread, and he put Peter in prison, assigning four squads of four soldiers each to guard him in turns. Herod meant to try Peter in public after the end of Passover week. All the time Peter was under guard the Church prayed to God for him unremittingly.

  On the night before Herod was to try him, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, fastened with double chains, while guards kept watch at the main entrance to the prison. Then suddenly the angel of the Lord stood there, and the cell was filled with light. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him. ‘Get up!’ he said ‘Hurry!’ – and the chains fell from his hands. The angel then said, ‘Put on your belt and sandals.’ After he had done this, the angel next said, ‘Wrap your cloak round you and follow me.’ Peter followed him, but had no idea that what the angel did was all happening in reality; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed through two guard posts one after the other, and reached the iron gate leading to the city. This opened of its own accord; they went through it and had walked the whole length of one street when suddenly the angel left him. It was only then that Peter came to himself. ‘Now I know it is all true’ he said. ‘The Lord really did send his angel and has saved me from Herod and from all that the Jewish people were so certain would happen to me.’

Second reading
2 Timothy 4:6-8,17-18

My life is already being poured away as a libation, and the time has come for me to be gone. I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith; all there is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that Day; and not only to me but to all those who have longed for his Appearing.

  The Lord stood by me and gave me power, so that through me the whole message might be proclaimed for all the pagans to hear; and so I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from all evil attempts on me, and bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel
Matthew 16:13-19

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said ‘the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.’

Do you know the time and day of your passing? Do you think it is years from now? If we are blessed with a long life it is only so that we might save our souls by repenting for our sins and to save the souls of as many as we can.  Let us not be found wanting or unprepared when we meet the Lord our God.  It could be today, tomorrow or day after. Certainly sooner than we think.

Should we be fearful? Why would we be? Unless we have not grown in our faith and in our loving relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. For when we have, we know for certain that He is the resurrection and the life! And we will live faithfully in the joy and hope of our very own resurrection through Him. For He the Lord our God had promised eternal life with Him.

Lord Jesus, violent storms  can come in an instant without warning. But with You at my side I face unafraid, come what may. Jesus I place all my trust in You. Amen

First reading
Amos 3:1-8,4:11-12

Listen, sons of Israel, to this oracle the Lord speaks against you, against the whole family I brought out of the land of Egypt:

You alone, of all the families of earth, have I acknowledged,
therefore it is for all your sins that I mean to punish you.

Do two men take the road together if they have not planned to do so?

Does the lion roar in the jungle
if no prey has been found?

Does the young lion growl in his lair if he has captured nothing?

Does the bird fall to the ground if no trap has been set?

Does the snare spring up from the ground if nothing has been caught?

Does the trumpet sound in the city without the populace becoming alarmed?

Does misfortune come to a city if the Lord has not sent it?

No more does the Lord do anything without revealing his plans to his servants the prophets.

The lion roars: who can help feeling afraid?

The Lord speaks: who can refuse to prophesy?

I overthrew you as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were like a brand snatched from the blaze; and yet you never came back to me.

It is the Lord who speaks.

This therefore, Israel, is what I plan to do to you, and because I am going to do this to you, Israel, prepare to meet your God!

Gospel
Matthew 8:23-27

Jesus got into the boat followed by his disciples. Without warning a storm broke over the lake, so violent that the waves were breaking right over the boat. But he was asleep. So they went to him and woke him saying, ‘Save us, Lord, we are going down!’ And he said to them, ‘Why are you so frightened, you men of little faith?’ And with that he stood up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and all was calm again. The men were astounded and said, ‘Whatever kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey him.’

What is our day to day life like? Do we seek only personal comforts and enjoyment? Do we spare a thought for the less fortunate? Do we do anything for them? What about the sick, lonely and poor in spirit? Or do we hide behind the excuse that the domestic Church must come first and do little or nothing for anyone else?

To follow Jesus in discipleship is to expect challenges and discomfort. It compels us to come out of our comfort zones to live our lives according to His Will in the service of others.  We must leave our spiritually dead lives and attachments behind us so as to embrace the new life in Him. 

Lord Jesus let me live my life for and in You. Amen

First reading
Amos 2:6-10,13-16

The Lord says this:

For the three crimes, the four crimes, of Israel I have made my decree and will not relent:
because they have sold the virtuous man for silver and the poor man for a pair of sandals, because they trample on the heads of ordinary people and push the poor out of their path, because father and son have both resorted to the same girl, profaning my holy name, because they stretch themselves out by the side of every altar on clothes acquired as pledges, and drink the wine of the people they have fined in the house of their god…

Yet it was I who overthrew the Amorites when they attacked,
men tall as cedars and strong as oaks, I who destroyed them, both fruit above ground
and root below.

It was I who brought you out of the land of Egypt and for forty years led you through the wilderness to take possession of the Amorite’s country.

See then how I am going to crush you into the ground as the threshing-sledge crushes when clogged by straw; flight will not save even the swift, the strong man will find his strength useless, the mighty man will be powerless to save himself.

The bowman will not stand his ground, the fast runner will not escape, the horseman will not save himself, the bravest warriors will run away naked that day.

It is the Lord who speaks.

Gospel
Matthew 8:18-22

When Jesus saw the great crowds all about him he gave orders to leave for the other side. One of the scribes then came up and said to him, ‘Master, I will follow you wherever you go.’ Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’

  Another man, one of his disciples, said to him, ‘Sir, let me go and bury my father first.’ But Jesus replied, ‘Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their dead.’

Wake up and see that sin is not another buzzword! It is a spawn of evil and draws you in. Do Not give in! Sin blinds you to the truth. It eats at your soul and destroys you. It leads you further and further away from the Lord Your God.

How wonderful if it is to have a loving and merciful Heavenly Father. Sent His only Begotten Son to redeem His children from death and sin. Anyone who cries out to Him even in the dark recesses of darkness, He will come to set them free. His healing graces He bestows on the faithful.

Lord Jesus I am not worthy to receive You, but only say the word and I firmly believe that I can be perfected through You. For it is You alone who makes me worthy. Amen

First reading
Lamentations 2:2,10-14,18-19

Beth

The Lord has pitilessly destroyed all the homes of Jacob; in his displeasure he has shattered the strongholds of the daughter of Judah; he has thrown to the ground, he has left accursed the kingdom and its rulers.

Yod

Mutely they sit on the ground, the elders of the daughter of Zion; they have put dust on their heads, and wrapped themselves in sackcloth. The virgins of Jerusalem hang their heads
down to the ground.

Kaph

My eyes wasted away with weeping, my entrails shuddered, my liver spilled on the ground at the ruin of the daughters of my people, as children, mere infants, fainted
in the squares of the Citadel.

Lamed

They kept saying to their mothers,  ‘Where is the bread?’ as they fainted like wounded men in the squares of the City, as they poured out their souls on their mothers’ breasts.

Mem

How can I describe you, to what compare you, daughter of Jerusalem? Who can rescue and comfort you, virgin daughter of Zion? For huge as the sea is your affliction; who can possibly cure you?

Nun

The visions your prophets had on your behalf were delusive, tinsel things, they never pointed out your sin, to ward off your exile.

The visions they proffered you were false, fallacious, misleading.

Sade

Cry aloud, then, to the Lord,
groan, daughter of Zion; let your tears flow like a torrent,day and night; give yourself no relief, grant your eyes no rest.

Qoph

Up, cry out in the night-time in the early hours of darkness; pour your heart out like water
 before the Lord. Stretch out your hands to him for the lives of your children who faint with hunger at the entrance to every street.

Gospel
Matthew 8:5-17

When Jesus went into Capernaum a centurion came up and pleaded with him. ‘Sir,’ he said ‘my servant is lying at home paralysed, and in great pain.’ ‘I will come myself and cure him’ said Jesus. The centurion replied, ‘Sir, I am not worthy to have you under my roof; just give the word and my servant will be cured. For I am under authority myself, and have soldiers under me; and I say to one man: Go, and he goes; to another: Come here, and he comes; to my servant: Do this, and he does it.’ When Jesus heard this he was astonished and said to those following him, ‘I tell you solemnly, nowhere in Israel have I found faith like this. And I tell you that many will come from east and west to take their places with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the kingdom of heaven; but the subjects of the kingdom will be turned out into the dark, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.’ And to the centurion Jesus said, ‘Go back, then; you have believed, so let this be done for you.’ And the servant was cured at that moment.

  And going into Peter’s house Jesus found Peter’s mother-in-law in bed with fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.

  That evening they brought him many who were possessed by devils. He cast out the spirits with a word and cured all who were sick. This was to fulfil the prophecy of Isaiah:

He took our sicknesses away and carried our diseases for us.

By our baptism we are called to be priests.  St John the Baptist is a wonderful example of how we should go about fulfilling his priestly duty. He was not your conventional priest of the time but a priest nonetheless. 

In order to follow the Will of God the Father and to reconcile His people unto Him, St John the Baptist had to make many sacrifices. He offered them up wholeheartedly like incense holy and acceptable to God. For in a disordered World, there is no communion without sacrifice. He bravely proclaimed repentance and baptised them, to prepare their hearts to receive our Lord Jesus Christ. The Lamb of God who was to take away the sins of the world. The new and everlasting temple in which living waters flowed.

Are we baptised ‘Priests’ doing likewise? Have we boldly proclaimed Christ who was, who is and who is to come? Have we sacrificed as to reconcile our brethren to our living, loving and merciful Lord our God?

Jesus let me live out my baptismal vows and to serve my family, friends and brethren; as priest, prophet and king. Amen

First reading
Isaiah 49:1-6

Islands, listen to me, pay attention, remotest peoples.

The Lord called me before I was born, from my mother’s womb he pronounced my name.

He made my mouth a sharp sword, and hid me in the shadow of his hand.

He made me into a sharpened arrow, and concealed me in his quiver.

He said to me, ‘You are my servant (Israel) in whom I shall be glorified’; while I was thinking, ‘I have toiled in vain,
I have exhausted myself for nothing’; and all the while my cause was with the Lord, my reward with my God.

I was honoured in the eyes of the Lord, my God was my strength.

And now the Lord has spoken,
he who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, to gather Israel to him:

‘It is not enough for you to be my servant, to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back the survivors of Israel;

I will make you the light of the nations so that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.’

Second reading
Acts 13:22-26

Paul said: ‘God deposed Saul and made David their king, of whom he approved in these words, “I have selected David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will carry out my whole purpose.” To keep his promise, God has raised up for Israel one of David’s descendants, Jesus, as Saviour, whose coming was heralded by John when he proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the whole people of Israel. Before John ended his career he said, “I am not the one you imagine me to be; that one is coming after me and I am not fit to undo his sandal.”

  ‘My brothers, sons of Abraham’s race, and all you who fear God, this message of salvation is meant for you.’

Gospel
Luke 1:57-66,80

The time came for Elizabeth to have her child, and she gave birth to a son; and when her neighbours and relations heard that the Lord had shown her so great a kindness, they shared her joy.

  Now on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother spoke up. ‘No,’ she said ‘he is to be called John.’ They said to her, ‘But no one in your family has that name’, and made signs to his father to find out what he wanted him called. The father asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And they were all astonished. At that instant his power of speech returned and he spoke and praised God. All their neighbours were filled with awe and the whole affair was talked about throughout the hill country of Judaea. All those who heard of it treasured it in their hearts. ‘What will this child turn out to be?’ they wondered. And indeed the hand of the Lord was with him.

  Meanwhile the child grew up and his spirit matured. And he lived out in the wilderness until the day he appeared openly to Israel.

Where is your heart at? Do you pray, if your pray at all to praise and glorify the Lord by your lives? Or is it always more personal petitions?

Where is your heart at? Is it on the Lord Your God, His Word and His Will? Or is it on your personal goals, objectives and achievements?

Where is your heart at? Is it in the service of Jesus and your brethren? Or is it only your family, your travels, your enjoyment, your leisure?

Seek first the Kingdom of God building it up on the foundation of His Word given to you, His love and mercy poured out for you; to be shared and passed on to your brothers and sisters in the world. Then only then is your heart where it should be.

Lord Jesus reign in my heart, now and forever. Amen

First reading
2 Kings 24:8-17

Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he came to the throne, and he reigned for three months in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Nehushta, daughter of Elnathan, from Jerusalem. He did what is displeasing to the Lord, just as his father had done.

  At that time the troops of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched on Jerusalem, and the city was besieged. Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon himself came to attack the city while his troops were besieging it. Then Jehoiachin king of Judah surrendered to the king of Babylon, he, his mother, his officers, his nobles and his eunuchs, and the king of Babylon took them prisoner. This was in the eighth year of King Nebuchadnezzar.

  The latter carried off all the treasures of the Temple of the Lord and the treasures of the royal palace, and broke up all the golden furnishings that Solomon king of Israel had made for the sanctuary of the Lord, as the Lord had foretold. He carried off all Jerusalem into exile, all the nobles and all the notables, ten thousand of these were exiled, with all the blacksmiths and metalworkers; only the poorest people in the country were left behind. He deported Jehoiachin to Babylon, as also the king’s mother, his eunuchs and the nobility of the country; he made them all leave Jerusalem for exile in Babylon. All the men of distinction, seven thousand of them, the blacksmiths and metalworkers, one thousand of them, all of them men capable of bearing arms, were led into exile in Babylon by the king of Babylon.

  The king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in succession to him, and changed his name to Zedekiah.

Gospel
Matthew 7:21-29

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord,” who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven. When the day comes many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, cast out demons in your name, work many miracles in your name?” Then I shall tell them to their faces: I have never known you; away from me, you evil men!

  ‘Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against that house, and it did not fall: it was founded on rock. But everyone who listens to these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a stupid man who built his house on sand. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and struck that house, and it fell; and what a fall it had!’

  Jesus had now finished what he wanted to say, and his teaching made a deep impression on the people because he taught them with authority, and not like their own scribes.

A true leader is first a disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ. A man or woman after the heart of God our Father. One who knows to humbly look inwardly to correct shortcomings and to turn away from sins. Thereby leading those he or she is called to do likewise.  The Word of God is central in the lives of His people and must be proclaimed so that all will know of the love and mercy of the Lord our God.

Truly you will be able to distinguish them by their fruits. For their toil and sacrifice is for others. They are humble and outward looking always willing to befriend the sinner and outcast. They are to be found in the thick of the community and at opportune times in deep prayer. They lead others close to the heart of God, and those they lead are transformed. They in turn cannot wait to witness to the glory of the Lord.

Lord Jesus guide and least me so that I may always be a leader after Your own sacred heart.  An instrument to bring Your peace and love. Amen

First reading
2 Kings 22:8-13,23:1-3

The high priest Hilkiah said to Shaphan the secretary, ‘I have found the Book of the Law in the Temple of the Lord.’’’ And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, who read it. Shaphan the secretary went to the king and reported to him as follows, ‘Your servants’ he said ‘have melted down the silver which was in the Temple and have handed it over to the masters of works attached to the Temple of the Lord.’ Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, ‘Hilkiah the priest has given me a book’; and Shaphan read it aloud in the king’s presence.

  On hearing the contents of the Book of the Law, the king tore his garments, and gave the following order to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Achbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s minister: ‘Go and consult the Lord, on behalf of me and the people, about the contents of this book that has been found. Great indeed must be the anger of the Lord blazing out against us because our ancestors did not obey what this book says by practising everything written in it.’

  The king then had all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem summoned to him, and the king went up to the Temple of the Lord with all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, priests, prophets and all the people, of high or low degree. In their hearing he read out everything that was said in the book of the covenant found in the Temple of the Lord. The king stood beside the pillar, and in the presence of the Lord he made a covenant to follow the Lord and keep his commandments and decrees and laws with all his heart and soul, in order to enforce the terms of the covenant as written in that book. All the people gave their allegiance to the covenant.

Gospel
Matthew 7:15-20

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Beware of false prophets who come to you disguised as sheep but underneath are ravenous wolves. You will be able to tell them by their fruits. Can people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, a sound tree produces good fruit but a rotten tree bad fruit. A sound tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor a rotten tree bear good fruit. Any tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown on the fire. I repeat, you will be able to tell them by their fruits.’

Have you been mocked for your faith? Have you been taunted especially in times of trials? Remain steadfast and in the peace of our Lord for He is with you. 

Only those who have not been opened to His promptings, experienced His love, mercy and grace will fall.

And so let us be bold and proclaim the love and mercy of our Heavenly Father as shown through His Son our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ, to all who will listen.  And those who will not listen, leave them to their own devices.

Let us help one another enter through the narrow gate.  And we will face all the challenges that await us, for we know we stand not alone. But shoulder to shoulder with one another. With the living God at our side. Glory to the Holy Trinity now and forever. Amen

First reading
2 Kings 19:9-11,14-21,31-36

Sennacherib, King of the Assyrians, sent messengers to Hezekiah saying, ‘Tell this to Hezekiah king of Judah, “Do not let your God on whom you are relying deceive you, when he says: Jerusalem shall not fall into the power of the king of Assyria. You have learnt by now what the kings of Assyria have done to every country, putting them all under the ban. Are you likely to be spared?’

  Hezekiah took the letter from the hands of the messenger and read it; he then went up to the Temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. Hezekiah said this prayer in the presence of the Lord, ‘O Lord of Hosts, God of Israel, enthroned on the cherubs, you alone are God of all the kingdoms of the earth, you have made heaven and earth.

‘Give ear, Lord, and listen.
Open your eyes, Lord, and see.
Hear the words of Sennacherib who has sent to insult the living God.

‘It is true, O Lord, that the kings of Assyria have exterminated all the nations, they have thrown their gods on the fire, for these were not gods but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone, and hence they have destroyed them. But now, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, I pray you, and let all the kingdoms of the earth know that you alone are God, the Lord.’

  Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah. ‘The Lord, the God of Israel,’ he said, ‘says this, “I have heard the prayer you have addressed to me about Sennacherib king of Assyria.” Here is the oracle that the Lord has pronounced against him:

‘“She despises you, she scorns you, the virgin, daughter of Zion; she tosses her head behind you, the daughter of Jerusalem.”

‘This, then, is what the Lord says about the king of Assyria:

‘“He will not enter this city, he will let fly no arrow against it,
confront it with no shield, throw up no earthwork against it.

By the road that he came on he will return; he shall not enter this city. It is the Lord who speaks.

I will protect this city and save it for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David.”’

That same night the angel of the Lord went out and struck down a hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. Sennacherib struck camp and left; he returned home and stayed in Nineveh.

Gospel
Matthew 7:6,12-14

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Do not give dogs what is holy; and do not throw your pearls in front of pigs, or they may trample them and then turn on you and tear you to pieces.

  ‘So always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that is the meaning of the Law and the Prophets.

  ‘Enter by the narrow gate, since the road that leads to perdition is wide and spacious, and many take it; but it is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, and only a few find it.’

Our hearts are restless till we rest in God our Father. And so when we lose sight of what is truly important in our lives, look for material comforts, power and personal glory; we become empty constantly trying to fill the void which cannot be filled on our own.

In His mercy and love He beckons us to be reconciled with Him. Instead of looking at the faults, weaknesses in others let us look within ourselves first. And after being fully reconciled ourselves with our Lord. Let us gently encourage the others to do likewise. For His mercy and peace is for all. Amen

First reading
2 Kings 17:5-8,13-15,18

The king of Assyria invaded the whole country and, coming to Samaria, laid siege to it for three years. In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria. He settled them in Halah on the Habor, a river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.

  This happened because the Israelites had sinned against the Lord their God who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the grip of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They worshipped other gods, they followed the practices of the nations that the Lord had dispossessed for them.

  And yet through all the prophets and all the seers, the Lord had given Israel and Judah this warning, ‘Turn from your wicked ways and keep my commandments and my laws in accordance with the entire Law I laid down for your fathers and delivered to them through my servants the prophets.’ But they would not listen, they were more stubborn than their ancestors had been who had no faith in the Lord their God. They despised his laws and the covenant he had made with their ancestors, and the warnings he had given them. They pursued emptiness, and themselves became empty through copying the nations round them although the Lord had ordered them not to act as they did. For this, the Lord was enraged with Israel and thrust them away from him. There was none left but the tribe of Judah only.

Gospel
Matthew 7:1-5

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged; because the judgements you give are the judgements you will get, and the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given. Why do you observe the splinter in your brother’s eye and never notice the plank in your own? How dare you say to your brother, “Let me take the splinter out of your eye,” when all the time there is a plank in your own? Hypocrite! Take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye.’

Praise the Lord our Heavenly Father who so loves us all. And He provides for all that we need as we seek to live in His Kingdom and to do His Will. We have no need or want for anything.

The world would have us believe otherwise. That is OK to want more, to have more and need more. The love of money, power and honour drives us further and further away from the Lord our God. For these have taken His place in our hearts. Soon we find that peace has left us and instead we have restlessness to contend with.

Lord Jesus I long only to be with You. Grant me the grace to overcome all temptations. So that I may dwell in Your love now and forever. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Amen

First reading
2 Chronicles 24:17-25

After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came to pay court to the king, and the king now turned to them for advice. The Judaeans abandoned the Temple of the Lord, the God of their ancestors, for the worship of sacred poles and idols. Because of their guilt, God’s anger fell on Judah and Jerusalem. He sent them prophets to bring them back to the Lord, but when these gave their message, they would not listen. The spirit of God took possession of Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood up before the people and said, ‘God says this, “Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord to no good purpose? You have deserted the Lord, now he deserts you.”’ They then plotted against him and by order of the king stoned him in the court of the Temple of the Lord. King Joash, forgetful of the kindness that Jehoiada, the father of Zechariah, had shown him, killed Jehoiada’s son who cried out as he died, ‘The Lord sees and he will avenge!’

  When a year had gone by, the Aramaean army made war on Joash. They reached Judah and Jerusalem, and executed all the officials among the people, sending back to the king at Damascus all that they had plundered from them. Though the Aramaean army had by no means come in force, the Lord delivered into its power an army of great size for having deserted him, the God of their ancestors.

  The Aramaeans treated Joash as he had deserved, and when they retired they left him a very sick man; and his officers, plotting against him to avenge the death of the son of Jehoiada the priest, murdered him in his bed. So he died, and they buried him in the Citadel of David, though not in the tombs of the kings.

Gospel
Matthew 6:24-34

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘No one can be the slave of two masters: he will either hate the first and love the second, or treat the first with respect and the second with scorn. You cannot be the slave both of God and of money.

  ‘That is why I am telling you not to worry about your life and what you are to eat, nor about your body and how you are to clothe it. Surely life means more than food, and the body more than clothing! Look at the birds in the sky. They do not sow or reap or gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they are? Can any of you, for all his worrying, add one single cubit to his span of life? And why worry about clothing? Think of the flowers growing in the fields; they never have to work or spin; yet I assure you that not even Solomon in all his regalia was robed like one of these. Now if that is how God clothes the grass in the field which is there today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, will he not much more look after you, you men of little faith? So do not worry; do not say, “What are we to eat? What are we to drink? How are we to be clothed?” It is the pagans who set their hearts on all these things. Your heavenly Father knows you need them all. Set your hearts on his kingdom first, and on his righteousness, and all these other things will be given you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow: tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.’

He who raises himself up will be struck down and humbled. For He the Lord our God scatters the proud hearted and raises the lowly.

Our Heavenly Father wants us His children, to come into our Heavenly inheritance. The journey begins with us renouncing the riches cares of the world. For we carry nothing of worth or value of the world into the next. It is His Word, His Church, the Sacraments, His grace and the love we possess for one another, His children that are the treasures He gives us.

Let us choose to remain faithful, steadfast in faith, love and charity for one another through our Lord Jesus Christ. Guarding ourselves against sin which seeks to rob us of the light we possess so as to plunge us into darkness. Let us see with the eyes of Jesus and gaze upon one another with His mercy and love. Amen

First reading
2 Kings 11:1-4,9-18,20

When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah learned that her son was dead, she promptly did away with all those of royal stock. But Jehosheba, daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah, secretly took away Jehoash, her brother’s son, from among the sons of the king who were being murdered, and put him with his nurse in the sleeping quarters; in this way she hid him from Athaliah, and he was not put to death. He stayed with her for six years, hidden in the Temple of the Lord, while Athaliah governed the country.

  In the seventh year, Jehoiada sent for the commanders of hundreds of the Carians and of the guards, and had them brought to him in the Temple of the Lord. He made a pact with them and, putting them under oath, showed them the king’s son.

  The commanders of hundreds did everything as Jehoiada the priest had ordered. They brought their men, those coming off duty on the sabbath together with those mounting guard on the sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest. The priest equipped the commanders of hundreds with King David’s spears and shields which were in the Temple of the Lord. The guards formed up, each man with his weapon in his hand, from the south corner to the north corner of the Temple, surrounding the altar and the Temple.’ Then Jehoiada brought out the king’s son, put the crown and armlets on him, and he anointed him king. They clapped their hands and shouted, ‘Long live the king!’

  Athaliah, on hearing the shouts of the people made for the Temple of the Lord where the people were. When she saw the king standing there beside the pillar, as the custom was, with the captains and trumpeters at the king’s side, and all the country people rejoicing and sounding trumpets, Athaliah tore her garments and shouted, ‘Treason, treason!’ Then Jehoiada the priest gave the order to the army officers: ‘Take her outside the precincts and put to death anyone who follows her.’ ‘For’ the priest had reasoned, ‘she must not be put to death in the Temple of the Lord.’ They seized her, and when she had reached the palace through the Entry of the Horses, she was put to death there.

  Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord and king and people, by which the latter undertook to be the people of the Lord; and also between king and people. All the country people then went to the temple of Baal and demolished it; they smashed his altars and his images and killed Mattan, priest of Baal, in front of the altars.

  The priest posted sentries to guard the Temple of the Lord. All the country people were delighted, and the city made no move. And they put Athaliah to death in the royal palace.

Gospel
Matthew 6:19-23

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Do not store up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and woodworms destroy them and thieves can break in and steal. But store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where neither moth nor woodworms destroy them and thieves cannot break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

  ‘The lamp of the body is the eye. It follows that if your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light. But if your eye is diseased, your whole body will be all darkness. If then, the light inside you is darkness, what darkness that will be!’

We children of God our Father and disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ are called to love and lead one another into the Heavenly Kingdom that awaits us. And if we have faith we can do mighty great deeds in Jesus’s name.

And the greatest deed of them all is reconciliation.  To reconcile and to be reconciled with God our Heavenly Father. To call for repentance and invite sinners to experience the love and mercy of God our Father through His Son our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.

Prayer is what deepens our faith, love and relationship with God. It unites us with Him and thereby unites us with one another.  Let us strive to be merciful as our Heavenly Father is merciful. Amen

Our Father who art in Heaven,
Hallowed be thy name…..

First reading
Ecclesiasticus 48:1-15

The prophet Elijah arose like a fire, his word flaring like a torch.

It was he who brought famine on the people, and who decimated them in his zeal.

By the word of the Lord, he shut up the heavens he also, three times, brought down fire.

How glorious you were in your miracles, Elijah!

  Has anyone reason to boast as you have? – rousing a corpse from death,
from Sheol by the word of the Most High; dragging kings down to destruction, and high dignitaries from their beds; hearing reproof on Sinai, and decrees of punishment on Horeb; anointing kings as avengers, and prophets to succeed you; taken up in the whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with fiery horses; designated in the prophecies of doom to allay God’s wrath before the fury breaks, to turn the hearts of fathers towards their children, and to restore the tribes of Jacob,

Happy shall they be who see you, and those who have fallen asleep in love; for we too will have life.

Elijah was shrouded in the whirlwind, and Elisha was filled with his spirit; throughout his life no ruler could shake him, and no one could subdue him.

No task was too hard for him,
and even in death his body prophesied.

In his lifetime he performed wonders, and in death his works were marvellous.

Gospel
Matthew 6:7-15

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘In your prayers do not babble as the pagans do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard. Do not be like them; your Father knows what you need before you ask him. So you should pray like this:

‘Our Father in heaven,
may your name be held holy,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us. And do not put us to the test, but save us from the evil one.

‘Yes, if you forgive others their failings, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours; but if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failings either.’

I must never forget that there are always greater, Holier, wiser men and women than I.  While I may perform mighty deeds in His name it is the Lord that I am paving the way for. So that He and He alone can dwell in the hearts of them, whom I serve at His pleasure.

My food and drink is the Word, the living water. I have no want or need for glory, for all Glory and Praise belongs to the Lord my God alone.  I hunger and thirst only to do His Will.  For He is my shepherd there is nothing I shall want.

My Lord, my God, my all! Amen

First reading
2 Kings 2:1,6-14

This is what happened when the Lord took Elijah up to heaven in the whirlwind: Elijah and Elisha set out from Gilgal, Elijah said, ‘Elisha, please stay here, the Lord is only sending me to the Jordan.’ But he replied, ‘As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you!’ And they went on together.

  Fifty of the brotherhood of prophets followed them, halting some distance away as the two of them stood beside the Jordan. Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water; and the water divided to left and right, and the two of them crossed over dry-shod. When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Make your request. What can I do for you before I am taken from you?’ Elisha answered, ‘Let me inherit a double share of your spirit.’ ‘Your request is a difficult one’ Elijah said. ‘If you see me while I am being taken from you, it shall be as you ask; if not, it will not be so.’ Now as they walked on, talking as they went, a chariot of fire appeared and horses of fire, coming between the two of them; and Elijah went up to heaven in the whirlwind. Elisha saw it, and shouted, ‘My father! My father! Chariot of Israel and its chargers!’ Then he lost sight of him, and taking hold of his clothes he tore them in half. He picked up the cloak of Elijah which had fallen, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan.

  He took the cloak of Elijah and struck the water. ‘Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?’ he cried. He struck the water, and it divided to right and left, and Elisha crossed over.

Gospel
Matthew 6:1-6,16-18

Jesus said to his disciples:

  ‘Be careful not to parade your good deeds before men to attract their notice; by doing this you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give alms, do not have it trumpeted before you; this is what the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win men’s admiration. I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you give alms, your left hand must not know what your right is doing; your almsgiving must be secret, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.

  ‘And when you pray, do not imitate the hypocrites: they love to say their prayers standing up in the synagogues and at the street corners for people to see them; I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you pray, go to your private room and, when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in that secret place, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.

  ‘When you fast do not put on a gloomy look as the hypocrites do: they pull long faces to let men know they are fasting. I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that no one will know you are fasting except your Father who sees all that is done in secret; and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.’

So many flawed people in our Churches that it is a wonder how we get anything done? In the last few months I’ve witnessed so many true colours revealed that I was wondering how to continue looking past everything? What a burden it is in knowing the truth sometimes.

Here are some unveiled…

One who knows how to ask so sweetly when they want something done but are very harsh when it doesn’t go according to what they had planned.

People who offer to contribute something then later tell others they were asked to contribute.

People always seeking attention and want of the limelight that they make sure everyone is watching when they do something.

People who say they want to serve, but choose only to serve at their convenience and only the way they want to.  Giving constant excuses for why they cannot serve in any other capacity.

People who promise to deliver but fail to and pocket the money that had been given for a project entrusted to their care.

People who pocket other people’s red envelopes leading them to think that the host did not appreciate the hard work they put in for the host.

People who subtly flatter themselves while putting others down.

People who tell others that someone mentioned their food is tasteless so that the business will go to them instead.

People who share other’s stories or testimonies said in confidence so as to get into the good books of another.

People who think themselves more learned and better than everyone else.

People who think themselves more spiritual than everyone else.

People who are quick to teach others but whose own family is in disarray.

People who choose to keep silent when they are in the position to help or engage their team members to help.

People who are only concerned about their ministry or community but do not care for the church or community at large.

People who voice concern for the well being of others but do nothing on their own for them.

People who berate others who are gentle to exercise control over them.

People who make use of the kindheartedness of others to do the things they are reluctant to do themselves.

People who want others to listen to their testimonies and their stories but are impatient when others share and then try to interject with their very own.

People who constantly find fault with the Church and with others. And pit one person against another.

People who think themselves more loving and generous than others but hide their own sinful thoughts and actions.

People who appear so nice on the surface but are quick to bad mouth others on the quiet.

Upon deeper reflection I was made to gaze upon three circles, the outer bigger one was a big round circle which was perfectly round. This was made up of people who joined the community to form this circle but not all possess the heart of a disciple. And in time this would break away.

The middle circle was jagged in some parts, these comprised of wannabe disciples who face some challenges but then fall away to sin and other worldly distractions.  They either break away or stay in this circle with no further growth.

The inner circle is much smaller and utterly deformed. These however comprises of disciples who live their lives with the knowledge that their imperfect circle is perfected in Christ. It is in their struggle to serve others that causes their circle to appear deformed.  For they are constantly mocked for Christ’s sake.  They are often frowned upon and looked on with disdain. They rely not on their own strengths but that of the Lord’s.

We all have to choose which circle we want to belong to …

How can I love my enemy? He who hurt me? He who continues to lie and cheat? To speak foul of others? To gossip and destroy relationships? He who is abusive and cruel? Who struts around like a peacock?

It is only through Your love and strength that I can truly love my enemy Lord. For if I am united with You then I too are looking to save souls. All of us are created in the image and likeness of You. It is sin that distorts and separates.  Hence I am called to be an instrument of reconciliation. To echo the call for repentance. I am Not called however to be a doormat to be trampled upon. The Lord will be my shield, my rampart. He is my rock and my strength.

Praise and glory to my Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

First reading
1 Kings 21:17-29

After the death of Naboth, the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, ‘Up! Go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, in Samaria. You will find him in Naboth’s vineyard; he has gone down to take possession of it. You are to say this to him, “the Lord says this: You have committed murder; now you usurp as well. For this – and the Lord says this – in the place where the dogs licked the blood of Naboth, the dogs will lick your blood too.”’ Ahab said to Elijah, ‘So you have found me out, O my enemy!’ Elijah answered, ‘I have found you out. For your double dealing, and since you have done what is displeasing to the Lord, I will now bring disaster down on you; I will sweep away your descendants, and wipe out every male belonging to the family of Ahab, fettered or free in Israel. I will treat your House as I treated the House of Jeroboam son of Nebat and of Baasha son of Ahijah, for provoking my anger and leading Israel into sin. (Against Jezebel the Lord spoke these words: The dogs will eat Jezebel in the Field of Jezreel.) Those of Ahab’s family who die in the city, the dogs will eat; and those who die in the open country, the birds of the air will eat.’

  And indeed there never was anyone like Ahab for double dealing and for doing what is displeasing to the Lord, urged on by Jezebel his wife. He behaved in the most abominable way, adhering to idols, just as the Amorites used to do whom the Lord had dispossessed for the sons of Israel.

  When Ahab heard these words, he tore his garments and put sackcloth next his skin and fasted; he slept in the sackcloth; he walked with slow steps. Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, ‘Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Since he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the disaster in his days; I will bring the disaster down on his House in the days of his son.’

Gospel
Matthew 5:43-48

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘You have learnt how it was said: You must love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I say this to you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; in this way you will be sons of your Father in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on bad men as well as good, and his rain to fall on honest and dishonest men alike. For if you love those who love you, what right have you to claim any credit? Even the tax collectors do as much, do they not? And if you save your greetings for your brothers, are you doing anything exceptional? Even the pagans do as much, do they not? You must therefore be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.’

We live in an imperfect world, one that can be very cruel and vicious. And the choices we make determines who we are. We can let our rage consume us and destroy everything in its path. Or we can exact vengeance to the measure of what was taken from us. The hurts that we received. Thinking we will be satisfied and appeased.

Our Lord Jesus gives us an opportunity to rise up above the situation.  To live in His mercy and love; for through Him an imperfect world can be perfected. Through Him we have peace and joy in our hearts.

Let the lives of the Saints that have gone before us guide us. Saint Anthony, you who carried Jesus tenderly with a loving heart for all, pray for us. Amen

First reading
1 Kings 21:1-16

Naboth of Jezreel had a vineyard close by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria, and Ahab said to Naboth, ‘Give me your vineyard to be my vegetable garden, since it adjoins my house; I will give you a better vineyard for it or, if you prefer, I will give you its worth in money.’ But Naboth answered Ahab, ‘The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my ancestors!’

  Ahab went home gloomy and out of temper at the words of Naboth of Jezreel, ‘I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.’ He lay down on his bed and turned his face away and refused to eat. His wife Jezebel came to him. ‘Why are you so dispirited’ she said ‘that you will not eat?’ He said, ‘I have been speaking to Naboth of Jezreel; I said: Give me your vineyard either for money or, if you prefer, for another vineyard in exchange. But he said, “I will not give you my vineyard.”’ Then his wife Jezebel said, ‘You make a fine king of Israel, and no mistake! Get up and eat; cheer up, and you will feel better; I will get you the vineyard of Naboth of Jezreel myself.’

  So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name and sealed them with his seal, sending them to the elders and nobles who lived where Naboth lived. In the letters she wrote, ‘Proclaim a fast, and put Naboth in the forefront of the people. Confront him with a couple of scoundrels who will accuse him like this, “You have cursed God and the king” Then take him outside and stone him to death.’

  The men of Naboth’s town, the elders and nobles who lived in his town, did what Jezebel ordered, what was written in the letters she had sent them. They proclaimed a fast and put Naboth in the forefront of the people. Then the two scoundrels came and stood in front of him and made their accusation, ‘Naboth has cursed God and the king.’ They led him outside the town and stoned him to death. They then sent word to Jezebel, ‘Naboth has been stoned to death.’ When Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, ‘Get up! Take possession of the vineyard which Naboth of Jezreel would not give you for money, for Naboth is no longer alive, he is dead.’ When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth of Jezreel and take possession of it.

Gospel
Matthew 5:38-42

Jesus said, ‘You have learnt how it was said: Eye for eye and tooth for tooth. But I say this to you: offer the wicked man no resistance. On the contrary, if anyone hits you on the right cheek, offer him the other as well; if a man takes you to law and would have your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone orders you to go one mile, go two miles with him. Give to anyone who asks, and if anyone wants to borrow, do not turn away.’

It is not enough to sow the seeds of faith. For once hearts are converted by and to the Lord, we need to be on hand to guard and encourage further growth. So that all will be fully rooted in the solid foundation of Christ Jesus our Lord.  Only then can we serve Him and one another with joy in our hearts.

No more shallowness of faith or service! No hint of hypocrisy! Guarding against a loose tongue which could destroy a community. Faith, encouragement backed with action.  Let us glorify the Lord our God by the depth of our love for Him and His Word. Amen

St Barnabas pray for us.

First reading
Acts 11:21-26,13:1-3

A great number believed and were converted to the Lord.

  The church in Jerusalem heard about this and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. There he could see for himself that God had given grace, and this pleased him, and he urged them all to remain faithful to the Lord with heartfelt devotion; for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith. And a large number of people were won over to the Lord.

  Barnabas then left for Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. As things turned out they were to live together in that church a whole year, instructing a large number of people. It was at Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians.’

  In the church at Antioch the following were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. One day while they were offering worship to the Lord and keeping a fast, the Holy Spirit said, ‘I want Barnabas and Saul set apart for the work to which I have called them.’ So it was that after fasting and prayer they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Gospel
Matthew 5:33-37

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not break your oath, but must fulfil your oaths to the Lord. But I say this to you: do not swear at all, either by heaven, since that is God’s throne; or by the earth, since that is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, since that is the city of the great king. Do not swear by your own head either, since you cannot turn a single hair white or black. All you need say is “Yes” if you mean yes, “No” if you mean no; anything more than this comes from the evil one.’

We must stand firm amidst all adversity and temptations. For through our love for God and His commandments, He is close to us and speaks to us like a gentle whisper. 

One of our greatest struggles to remain steadfast is concupiscence. However through prayer, the sacraments and again our deep love for Jesus, we are given the grace to remain Holy. 

We are called to love one another by service, great charity and sacrifice. The love that we ourselves had received without merit. For He the Lord our God loved us first.

Glory to You O Lord. Amen

First reading
1 Kings 19:9,11-16

When Elijah reached Horeb, the mountain of God, he went into the cave and spent the night in it. Then he was told, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord.’ Then the Lord himself went by. There came a mighty wind, so strong it tore the mountains and shattered the rocks before the Lord. But the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind came an earthquake. But the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire. But the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there came the sound of a gentle breeze. And when Elijah heard this, he covered his face with his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then a voice came to him, which said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He replied, ‘I am filled with jealous zeal for the Lord of Hosts, because the sons of Israel have deserted you, broken down your altars and put your prophets to the sword. I am the only one left and they want to kill me.’

  ‘Go,’ the Lord said, ‘go back by the same way to the wilderness of Damascus. You are to go and anoint Hazael as king of Aram. You are to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king of Israel, and to anoint Elisha son of Shaphat, of Abel Meholah, as prophet to succeed you.’

Gospel
Matthew 5:27-32

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘You have learnt how it was said: You must not commit adultery. But I say this to you: if a man looks at a woman lustfully, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye should cause you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; for it will do you less harm to lose one part of you than to have your whole body thrown into hell. And if your right hand should cause you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; for it will do you less harm to lose one part of you than to have your whole body go to hell.

  ‘It has also been said: Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a writ of dismissal. But I say this to you: everyone who divorces his wife, except for the case of fornication, makes her an adulteress; and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.’

Let us not remain comfortable with what we know, how we live our faith, how we generally love everyone, how we behave around others and how we often adopt a I ‘forgive’ but will not forget attitude towards those who hurt us or made us angry.

For to call ourselves Christian, is to carry our cross and follow Jesus. To constantly come out of our comfort zones, seek opportunities to grow deeper in our faith and in our relationship with the Lord our God. To face the challenges that will present itself and most of all love with great charity.

Just as we desire our heavenly Father to blot out all our offences and to purify our hearts and minds. So too must we forgive our brethren perfectly with a desire that their souls too may be saved and purified.

Dear sweet Jesus my Saviour, grant me the grace to love everyone with Your divine love. Amen

First reading
1 Kings 18:41-46

Elijah said to Ahab, ‘Go back, eat and drink; for I hear the sound of rain.’ While Ahab went back to eat and drink, Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel and bowed down to the earth, putting his face between his knees. ‘Now go up,’ he told his servant ‘and look out to the sea.’ He went up and looked. ‘There is nothing at all’ he said. ‘Go back seven times’ Elijah said. The seventh time, the servant said, ‘Now there is a cloud, small as a man’s hand, rising from the sea.’ Elijah said, ‘Go and say to Ahab, “Harness the chariot and go down before the rain stops you.”’ And with that the sky grew dark with cloud and storm, and rain fell in torrents. Ahab mounted his chariot and made for Jezreel. The hand of the Lord was on Elijah, and tucking up his cloak he ran in front of Ahab as far as the outskirts of Jezreel.

Gospel
Matthew 5:20-26

Jesus said to his disciples, If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.

  ‘You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court. But I say this to you: anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it before the court; if a man calls his brother “Fool” he will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and if a man calls him “Renegade” he will answer for it in hell fire. So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering. Come to terms with your opponent in good time while you are still on the way to the court with him, or he may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. I tell you solemnly, you will not get out till you have paid the last penny.’

No! I don’t pray to idols! I don’t have any, I only worship the Lord my God.

Do you not seek to be recognised for all that you do? To be praised a little? So that all will know that you are good at many things? Is not honour and fame your idol?

Do you not want lots of money for yourself and family? Do you not work long hours, days, weeks, months on end to do so? Do you find that there is always more to make? More to achieve? Is this not your idol?

Must you be in control all the time? The top dog where everyone looks up to? What you say must be followed as you know it better than anyone else.  You want to be on top of everything and everyone and so you keep at it day in and day out. Is the need for power not your idol?

What about your addictions? Sex, alcohol, gambling, gaming etc. Are these not your idols?

What is it in your own lives that takes you away from prayer, from your relationship with God our Father who loves you? From following Jesus’s commands to love? For the purpose of the laws He gave us is to love.

Lord Jesus I long only to be with You. And to do my Heavenly Father’s will for me. Come Holy Spirit, come dwell in me. Guide me always. Amen

First reading
1 Kings 18:20-39

Ahab called all Israel together and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. Elijah stepped out in front of all the people. ‘How long’ he said ‘do you mean to hobble first on one leg then on the other? If the Lord is God, follow him; if Baal, follow him.’ But the people never said a word. Elijah then said to them, ‘I, I alone, am left as a prophet of the Lord, while the prophets of Baal are four hundred and fifty. Let two bulls be given us; let them choose one for themselves, dismember it and lay it on the wood, but not set fire to it. I in my turn will prepare the other bull, but not set fire to it. You must call on the name of your god, and I shall call on the name of mine; the god who answers with fire, is God indeed.’ The people all answered, ‘Agreed!’ Elijah then said to the prophets of Baal, ‘Choose one bull and begin, for there are more of you. Call on the name of your god but light no fire.’ They took the bull and prepared it, and from morning to midday they called on the name of Baal. ‘O Baal, answer us!’ they cried, but there was no voice, no answer, as they performed their hobbling dance round the altar they had made. Midday came, and Elijah mocked them. ‘Call louder,’ he said ‘for he is a god: he is preoccupied or he is busy, or he has gone on a journey; perhaps he is asleep and will wake up.’ So they shouted louder and gashed themselves, as their custom was, with swords and spears until the blood flowed down them. Midday passed, and they ranted on until the time the offering is presented; but there was no voice, no answer, no attention given to them.

  Then Elijah said to all the people, ‘Come closer to me’, and all the people came closer to him. He repaired the altar of the Lord which had been broken down. Elijah took twelve stones, corresponding to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, ‘Israel shall be your name’, and built an altar in the name of the Lord. Round the altar he dug a trench of a size to hold two measures of seed. He then arranged the wood, dismembered the bull, and laid it on the wood. Then he said, ‘Fill four jars with water and pour it on the holocaust and on the wood’; this they did. He said, ‘Do it a second time’; they did it a second time. He said, ‘Do it a third time’; they did it a third time. The water flowed round the altar and the trench itself was full of water. At the time when the offering is presented, Elijah the prophet stepped forward. ‘O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel,’ he said ‘let them know today that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, that I have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so that this people may know that you, the Lord, are God and are winning back their hearts.’

  Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the holocaust and wood and licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this they fell on their faces. ‘The Lord is God,’ they cried, ‘the Lord is God.’

Gospel
Matthew 5:17-19

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them. I tell you solemnly, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved. Therefore, the man who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of heaven; but the man who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven.’

We hold on so tightly to what we have and are afraid to let go.  Thinking many thoughts about what if we did? It will surely run out, all will be lost, never give everything always keep something hidden, to each his own.

What do we truly own? What did we create on our own? Everything we have comes from the Lord our God.  Before we were formed in our mother’s womb He knew us, fashioned us in His likeness and we were born into a family. His family! How then can we start thinking we are alone? We are individuals fending for ourselves and it is a matter of survival, survival of the fittest.

We are made to be a light for one another. To love and care for one another. The more we surrender into the hands of our Lord, He gives us back and in abundance so that we can use it to better the lives of our brethren. In doing so our very own lives are enriched and filled with His grace. This is truly how we give Him praise, how we glorify Him and how we give Him thanks.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and forever. Amen

First reading
1 Kings 17:7-16

The stream in the place where Elijah lay hidden dried up, for the country had no rain. And then the word of the Lord came to Elijah, ‘Up and go to Zarephath, a Sidonian town, and stay there. I have ordered a widow there to give you food.’ So he went off to Sidon. And when he reached the city gate, there was a widow gathering sticks; addressing her he said, ‘Please bring me a little water in a vessel for me to drink.’ She was setting off to bring it when he called after her. ‘Please’ he said ‘bring me a scrap of bread in your hand.’ ‘As the Lord your God lives,’ she replied ‘I have no baked bread, but only a handful of meal in a jar and a little oil in a jug; I am just gathering a stick or two to go and prepare this for myself and my son to eat, and then we shall die.’ But Elijah said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, go and do as you have said; but first make a little scone of it for me and bring it to me, and then make some for yourself and for your son. For thus the Lord speaks, the God of Israel:

“Jar of meal shall not be spent, jug of oil shall not be emptied, before the day when the Lord sends rain on the face of the earth.”’

The woman went and did as Elijah told her and they ate the food, she, himself and her son. The jar of meal was not spent nor the jug of oil emptied, just as the Lord had foretold through Elijah.

Gospel
Matthew 5:13-16

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men.

  ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.’

If there is a drought in our lives it is because we have wandered far from the Lord our God. We have put our idols before us, seeking to quench our desires for recognition, power, glory even wanton lusts. We thirst for water that does not last.

Drink instead of the living water of our Lord Jesus Christ. He not only taught us but shows us the way to eternal life springs. Which flows from the heart of Love your God with all your heart, all your mind, so your strength, all your soul and to love your brethren as He the Lord God loves us.

Thank You Lord for the beatitudes. May it be for me a way of life. Amen

First reading
1 Kings 17:1-6

Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, ‘As the Lord lives, the God of Israel whom I serve, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years except at my order.’

  The word of the Lord came to him, ‘Go away from here, go eastwards, and hide yourself in the wadi Cherith which lies east of Jordan. You can drink from the stream, and I have ordered the ravens to bring you food there.’ He did as the Lord had said; he went and stayed in the wadi Cherith which lies east of Jordan. The ravens brought him bread in the morning and meat in the evening, and he quenched his thirst at the stream.

Gospel
Matthew 5:1-12

Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up the hill. There he sat down and was joined by his disciples. Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them:

‘How happy are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Happy the gentle: they shall have the earth for their heritage.

Happy those who mourn: they shall be comforted.

Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right: they shall be satisfied.

Happy the merciful: they shall have mercy shown them.

Happy the pure in heart: they shall see God.

Happy the peacemakers: they shall be called sons of God.

Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right: theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

‘Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven: this is how they persecuted the prophets before you.’

How else better can we ponder over the love of God through His Son our Lord Jesus then through the Immaculate Heart of Mary His mother? She who stored up all things of Him in her heart and pondered deeply over them. With a heart so pure, so gentle and so loving. Without reserve pours out her love and spirit from within her to all her children throughout the world.

All she asks of us is that like her, we give glory to her Son our Lord, Jesus Christ by the way we lead our lives. That we share His love, truth and good news of new life in Him; now and in His Kingdom to come with others. So like St Paul we can fight the good fight and complete the race towards our heavenly inheritance.

Lord Jesus grant me a child like innocence and humility to seek only Your truth. To know that my learning and pondering of the mysteries of You never ends. There are always more questions to be asked; so that I may learn and understand ever more deeply. May my love for You and my brethren grow deeper now and forever. Amen

Immaculate Heart, Mary my mother, pray for me. That through the Holy Spirit, my thoughts, words and actions are purified so that I may live a life which is pleasing to Your Son Jesus. Amen

First reading
2 Timothy 4:1-8

Before God and before Christ Jesus who is to be judge of the living and the dead, I put this duty to you, in the name of his Appearing and of his kingdom: proclaim the message and, welcome or unwelcome, insist on it. Refute falsehood, correct error, call to obedience – but do all with patience and with the intention of teaching. The time is sure to come when, far from being content with sound teaching, people will be avid for the latest novelty and collect themselves a whole series of teachers according to their own tastes; and then, instead of listening to the truth, they will turn to myths. Be careful always to choose the right course; be brave under trials; make the preaching of the Good News your life’s work, in thoroughgoing service.

  As for me, my life is already being poured away as a libation, and the time has come for me to be gone. I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith; all there is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that Day; and not only to me but to all those who have longed for his Appearing.

Gospel
Luke 2:41-51

Every year the parents of Jesus used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up for the feast as usual. When they were on their way home after the feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it. They assumed he was with the caravan, and it was only after a day’s journey that they went to look for him among their relations and acquaintances. When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere.

  Three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the doctors, listening to them, and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies. They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, ‘My child, why have, you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.’

  ‘Why were you looking for me?’ he replied ‘Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s affairs?’ But they did not understand what he meant.

  He then went down with them and came to Nazareth and lived under their authority. His mother stored up all these things in her heart.

Let us spend some time today in pondering over the great, profound love of the Sacred heart of Jesus poured out for us.

The promise communicated through Ezekiel and fulfilled in our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. O what joy it is to have someone who cares and loves you so much that when you stray and are lost; He will come looking for you and bring you home. And if you cannot walk on your own, He will carry you upon His shoulders.

O sweet heart of Jesus, why do you love me so? Undeserving, wretched sinner that I am!
Yet You died for me so that I may live through and with You.
Let me die now today so that You may live in me. Now and forever. Amen

First reading
Ezekiel 34:11-16

The Lord God says this: I am going to look after my flock myself and keep all of it in view. As a shepherd keeps all his flock in view when he stands up in the middle of his scattered sheep, so shall I keep my sheep in view. I shall rescue them from wherever they have been scattered during the mist and darkness. I shall bring them out of the countries where they are; I shall gather them together from foreign countries and bring them back to their own land. I shall pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in every inhabited place in the land. I shall feed them in good pasturage; the high mountains of Israel will be their grazing ground. There they will rest in good grazing ground; they will browse in rich pastures on the mountains of Israel. I myself will pasture my sheep, I myself will show them where to rest–it is the Lord who speaks. I shall look for the lost one, bring back the stray, bandage the wounded and make the weak strong. I shall watch over the fat and healthy. I shall be a true shepherd to them.

Second reading
Romans 5:5-11

The love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given us. We were still helpless when at his appointed moment Christ died for sinful men. It is not easy to die even for a good man – though of course for someone really worthy, a man might be prepared to die – but what proves that God loves us is that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. Having died to make us righteous, is it likely that he would now fail to save us from God’s anger? When we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, we were still enemies; now that we have been reconciled, surely we may count on being saved by the life of his Son? Not merely because we have been reconciled but because we are filled with joyful trust in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have already gained our reconciliation.

Gospel
Luke 15:3-7

Jesus spoke this parable to the scribes and Pharisees:

  ‘What man among you with a hundred sheep, losing one, would not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the missing one till he found it? And when he found it, would he not joyfully take it on his shoulders and then, when he got home, call together his friends and neighbours? “Rejoice with me,” he would say “I have found my sheep that was lost.” In the same way, I tell you, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine virtuous men who have no need of repentance.’

In the fast paced world that we live in, it is hard to fathom someone loving us without condition.  Simply loving us deeply for who we are in spite of our shortcomings, despite our failures. Someone who is ever constant in our lives, bringing peace  love and joy. And yet there He is, Jesus! Our Lord and ever faithful God.

How deep is our own love for Him? How hard are we really trying to remain faithful to Him and His commandments to love? How generous have we been in sharing the Good News of His great love with others? How careful and loving have we been in communicating His truths, through our words to our brethren?

O Heavenly Father, forgive me for my many shortcomings. I do truly love You and want to remain faithful and fruitful. Bless me Father, that I may glorify You in word and deed. Amen

First reading
2 Timothy 2:8-15

Remember the Good News that I carry, ‘Jesus Christ risen from the dead, sprung from the race of David’; it is on account of this that I have my own hardships to bear, even to being chained like a criminal – but they cannot chain up God’s news. So I bear it all for the sake of those who are chosen, so that in the end they may have the salvation that is in Christ Jesus and the eternal glory that comes with it.

  Here is a saying that you can rely on:

If we have died with him, then we shall live with him.

If we hold firm, then we shall reign with him.

If we disown him, then he will disown us.

We may be unfaithful, but he is always faithful, for he cannot disown his own self.

Remind them of this; and tell them in the name of God that there is to be no wrangling about words: all that this ever achieves is the destruction of those who are listening. Do all you can to present yourself in front of God as a man who has come through his trials, and a man who has no cause to be ashamed of his life’s work and has kept a straight course with the message of the truth.

Gospel
Mark 12:28-34

One of the scribes came up to Jesus and put a question to him, ‘Which is the first of all the commandments?’ Jesus replied, ‘This is the first: Listen, Israel, the Lord our God is the one Lord, and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You must love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.’ The scribe said to him, ‘Well spoken, Master; what you have said is true: that he is one and there is no other. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself, this is far more important than any holocaust or sacrifice.’ Jesus, seeing how wisely he had spoken, said, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ And after that no one dared to question him any more.

Death has no hold over us for we belong to the living God. Hence we should stop dwelling in sin, the shame and death it brings us. But live in the power of the resurrection for which Christ our Lord won for us.

Let us be heralds of the new life in Him. Bravely proclaiming the good news of the living Word. So that all who come to the knowledge of Jesus will experience life to the full. Amen

First reading
2 Timothy 1:1-3,6-12

From Paul, appointed by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus in his design to promise life in Christ Jesus; to Timothy, dear child of mine, wishing you grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord.

  Night and day I thank God, keeping my conscience clear and remembering my duty to him as my ancestors did, and always I remember you in my prayers. That is why I am reminding you now to fan into a flame the gift that God gave you when I laid my hands on you. God’s gift was not a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power, and love, and self-control. So you are never to be ashamed of witnessing to the Lord, or ashamed of me for being his prisoner; but with me, bear the hardships for the sake of the Good News, relying on the power of God who has saved us and called us to be holy – not because of anything we ourselves have done but for his own purpose and by his own grace. This grace had already been granted to us, in Christ Jesus, before the beginning of time, but it has only been revealed by the Appearing of our saviour Christ Jesus. He abolished death, and he has proclaimed life and immortality through the Good News; and I have been named its herald, its apostle and its teacher.

  It is only on account of this that I am experiencing fresh hardships here now; but I have not lost confidence, because I know who it is that I have put my trust in, and I have no doubt at all that he is able to take care of all that I have entrusted to him until that Day.

Gospel
Mark 12:18-27

Some Sadducees – who deny that there is a resurrection – came to him and they put this question to him, ‘Master, we have it from Moses in writing, if a man’s brother dies leaving a wife but no child, the man must marry the widow to raise up children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first married a wife and then died leaving no children. The second married the widow, and he too died leaving no children; with the third it was the same, and none of the seven left any children. Last of all the woman herself died. Now at the resurrection, when they rise again, whose wife will she be, since she had been married to all seven?’

  Jesus said to them, ‘Is not the reason why you go wrong, that you understand neither the scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, men and women do not marry; no, they are like the angels in heaven. Now about the dead rising again, have you never read in the Book of Moses, in the passage about the Bush, how God spoke to him and said: I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob? He is God, not of the dead, but of the living. You are very much mistaken.’

O merciful Father, look with favour upon your servant and grant your pardon and peace. For instead of turning to You with my burdens, I turn my gaze elsewhere looking for comfort. I had forgotten to live and look outwards to the service of others instead of inwards.

How wonderful it is to bring Jesus to others. To see their faces light up slowly with joy. To witness the transformation in their lives when they hear His Word and hold it close to their hearts. To bring His peace, healing and love. So that they too in turn can bring Him with them to others.

Lord just as my Blessed Mother magnified the glory of the Holy Trinity to all. Let me do likewise by the way I lead my life in Your precious name Jesus. Amen

First reading
Zephaniah 3:14-18

Shout for joy, daughter of Zion, Israel, shout aloud!

Rejoice, exult with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem!

The Lord has repealed your sentence; he has driven your enemies away.

The Lord, the king of Israel, is in your midst; you have no more evil to fear.

When that day comes, word will come to Jerusalem: Zion, have no fear, do not let your hands fall limp.

The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior.

He will exult with joy over you,
he will renew you by his love; he will dance with shouts of joy for you as on a day of festival.

Gospel
Luke 1:39-56

Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’

  And Mary said:

‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit exults in God my saviour; because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid.

Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed, for the Almighty has done great things for me.

Holy is his name, and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him.

He has shown the power of his arm, he has routed the proud of heart.

He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly.

The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away.

He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy – according to the promise he made to our ancestors – of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home.

All we have comes from God our Father.  And He provides for us, so that we may lead fruitful lives for one another and for Him.

Yet do we behave like unlawful owners? Squandering what we have been given claiming what is ‘ours’? Refusing to produce good fruit, but instead maximising our returns for personal gain? Shutting our ears to the call for repentance of our Lord through our sisters and brothers He sends? Or are we instead faithful stewards?

Jesus our Lord and saviour is the keystone to our Heavenly Father’s Kingdom.  Through His great love for us, He did not leave us orphans. He gave us the Sacraments through which we can share in His divine nature. We can stand our ground against the powerful forces of evil and vice, for we are fortified by the living Word in us.

So let us pray fervently for one another and strive to help one another on our pilgrim journey back to Him. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

First reading
2 Peter 1:2-7

May you have more and more grace and peace as you come to know our Lord more and more.

  By his divine power, he has given us all the things that we need for life and for true devotion, bringing us to know God himself, who has called us by his own glory and goodness. In making these gifts, he has given us the guarantee of something very great and wonderful to come: through them you will be able to share the divine nature and to escape corruption in a world that is sunk in vice. But to attain this, you will have to do your utmost yourselves, adding goodness to the faith that you have, understanding to your goodness, self-control to your understanding, patience to your self-control, true devotion to your patience, kindness towards your fellow men to your devotion, and, to this kindness, love.

Gospel
Mark 12:1-12

Jesus went on to speak to the chief priests, the scribes and the elders in parables: ‘A man planted a vineyard; he fenced it round, dug out a trough for the winepress and built a tower; then he leased it to tenants and went abroad. When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them his share of the produce from the vineyard. But they seized the man, thrashed him and sent him away empty-handed. Next he sent another servant to them; him they beat about the head and treated shamefully. And he sent another and him they killed; then a number of others, and they thrashed some and killed the rest. He had still someone left: his beloved son. He sent him to them last of all. “They will respect my son” he said. But those tenants said to each other, “This is the heir. Come on, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.” So they seized him and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard. Now what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and make an end of the tenants and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this text of scripture:

It was the stone rejected by the builders that became the keystone.

This was the Lord’s doing and it is wonderful to see?

And they would have liked to arrest him, because they realised that the parable was aimed at them, but they were afraid of the crowds. So they left him alone and went away.